RALEIGH, NC – June 10, 2021 – A new study from the American Cancer Society released by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) shows the lifesaving impact increasing access to Medicaid has on cancer survivorship. The study finds that patients with cancer living in states with lower Medicaid income eligibility limits -- such as North Carolina -- had worse long-term survival rates.
ACS CAN has long advocated for states to increase access to Medicaid and continues to work with lawmakers in the 12 remaining states that have not yet done so to take this critical step to ensure more individuals have access to Medicaid programs. Increasing access to more adults with lower incomes promotes earlier cancer detection, fewer deaths and improved outcomes for patients.
“These findings are just another example of how crucial of a role simply having healthcare plays in survivorship, and the higher cancer mortality rates we see in rural communities like Fayetteville where I live and others across our state because of our resistance to make care more accessible for families,” shared Brittany Avin McKelvey, a cancer survivors and volunteer with ACS CAN. “When I was diagnosed, I had to travel far in state as well as out of state to receive the level of care I needed, which was possible only due to my access to coverage. I can’t imagine being diagnosed with cancer today without accessible and affordable care.”
Cancer is the leading cause of death in North Carolina. This year alone, nearly 63,930 North Carolinians will be diagnosed with cancer, a number that has yet to factor in the pandemic’s impact on preventive life-saving screenings.
“Countless North Carolinians, including cancer patients, survivors and those currently in the dark on their diagnosis have lost their jobs, have faced serious economic hardship due to the coronavirus including many now finding themselves uninsured,” added DonnaMarie, a cancer survivor and volunteer with ACS CAN. “Closing the gap would give North Carolinians - many of whom have worked on the frontlines of the pandemic - a fighting chance against our state's second leading cause of death and protect them when they need it most.”
Key Findings from Association of state Medicaid income eligibility limits and long-term survival after cancer diagnosis in the United States: