Topeka, KS – As we start a new legislative session and as the COVID-19 crisis continues, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is urging lawmakers, once again, to broaden KanCare eligibility, allowing approximately 150,000 low-income Kansans to gain access to comprehensive, affordable health insurance. Many of those who could gain coverage are currently uninsured -- which is especially risky during a pandemic. Expanding access to health insurance will help more Kansans access the care they need, while returning millions of federal taxpayer dollars to Kansas.
“Where you live should not determine if you live. But for thousands of low-income Kansans, failure to expand KanCare means they do not have access to timely and potentially lifesaving cancer screenings and treatments,” said Christina Cowart, ACS CAN Kansas grassroots manager.
American Cancer Society data shows that those without health insurance are diagnosed with cancer at later stages, when treatment is more expensive, and their survival chances are smaller. An estimated 2.3 million individuals (children and adults under age 65) with a history of cancer rely on the health care coverage provided by their state Medicaid program.
ACS CAN volunteers look forward to working with Kansas lawmakers to help reduce the cancer burden among our communities. For more information on how policymakers, businesses, organizations and individuals play a role in defeating cancer, visit fighcancer.org/KS.