TOPEKA, Kan. – “As lawmakers end the legislative session, volunteer advocates have worked to inform lawmakers about the importance of Medicaid as a cancer-fighting tool. This year, an estimated 16,680 Kansans will be diagnosed with cancer; we know having health insurance is the top indicator of whether or not people survive that diagnosis. The evidence is clear, access to continuous, comprehensive health care coverage increases cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment and survival rates. For 358,000 Kansas children and adults, Medicaid is cancer care. In a state that has not yet expanded Medicaid, Kansas lawmakers should be increasing access to comprehensive health care, not restricting it. ”
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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.