JEFFERSON CITY, MO – As lawmakers dive into the new year, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) asks that legislators support legislation that will ease the cancer burden in Missouri. Long after this pandemic passes, people deserve to live full, healthy lives.
ACS CAN is advocating for:
Implementation of Medicaid Expansion: In August, Missourians approved Medicaid expansion, which will improve health outcomes and reduce cancer disparities for over 230,000 residents who will gain access to health insurance coverage. Medicaid helps to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of cancer by offering enrollees access to primary care, prevention services and timely cancer screenings. Early detection of cancer increases a patient's chance of survival. ACS CAN asks the legislature to honor Missouri voters' will by adequately funding the implementation of Medicaid expansion in this year's budget.
Even in these uncertain times, people are still hearing the words "you have cancer" for the first time, including the 37,540 Missourian's residents who will be diagnosed with cancer this year.
ACS CAN volunteers look forward to meeting with lawmakers during ACS CAN's Cancer Action Day on Wednesday, March 3rd. ACS CAN encourages individuals, businesses and organizations that are interested in these issues to reach out to ACS CAN to get involved in the fight against cancer at: fightcancer.org/MO
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society's nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.