Increased Access to Medicaid

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Access to Health Care

Where you live should not determine whether you live. But, for millions of low-income Americans, the state they live in could determine if they have access to health services, including cancer care.  To date, 31 states have increased access to their Medicaid programs, providing more than nine million individuals and families access to health care coverage and to lifesaving tests like mammograms, colonoscopies and other cancer screenings. 

We are working in the remaining 19 states to reach the day when everyone has access to affordable health care.  Going to the doctor is much cheaper than going to the emergency room. And, for a family, preventing cancer is much less expensive than treating it. 

We know how to save lives from cancer.  And we know how to save money on health care costs.  Ensuring that low-income working families have access to affordable health insurance – especially during tough times – is an important first step.   

  

More than 30 states have increased access to health care through Medicaid, helping provide nine million Americans with access to lifesaving cancer care.

Latest Updates

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Federal Action Jeopardizes Healthcare Coverage for Patients in Georgia

October 15, 2020

Eighteen patient and consumer groups issued the following statement regarding the Administration’s announcement of the approval of Georgia’s 1115 waiver and pending approval of the state’s 1332 waiver. Georgia is the only state that has chosen to rely on legally questionable Administration guidance issued in October 2018 that our organizations strongly opposed.

Withdrawal of SoonerCare 2.0 Waiver Application Clears Path for Full Medicaid Expansion

August 17, 2020
Oklahoma

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network of Oklahoma is pleased the state will move forward with full Medicaid expansion July 1, 2021.

Missourians Vote to Increase Access to Health Coverage Will Protect Its Most Vulnerable Citizens

August 5, 2020
Missouri

Jefferson City, MO — Missourians approval of Amendment 2 will improve health outcomes and reduce cancer disparities for 230,000 citizens who will gain access to health insurance coverage through the state’s Medicaid program. On Tuesday, voters responded “yes” to Amendment 2, which asked if Medicaid should be expanded to low-income

Missouri Voters Increase Access to Medicaid, Saving Lives and Helping to Reduce Future Suffering and Death from Cancer

August 5, 2020

Missouri voters stood up for public health on Tuesday and passed a ballot measure to increase access to health insurance coverage for more Missourians through the state’s Medicaid program, following on the heels of Oklahomans who made the same move at the end of June.

Increased Access to Medicaid Resources

ACS CAN Comments on Georgia's 1115 Demonstration Waiver

January 24, 2020

ACS CAN comments on Georgia's 1115 Demonstration Waiver.

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ACS CAN Comments on Nebraska's 1115 Demonstration Waiver

January 13, 2020

ACS CAN comments on Nebraska's 1115 Demonstration Waiver.

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Medicaid Section 1115 Research and Demonstration Waivers

January 10, 2020

An increasing number of states are seeking greater flexibility in administering their Medicaid programs. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) give states the opportunity to test innovative or alternative approaches to providing health care coverage to their Medicaid populations through Section 1115 Research and Demonstration Waivers (otherwise known as "1115 waivers"). States must demonstrate that their waivers promote the objectives of the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) and CMS must use general criteria to determine whether the objectives of the Medicaid/CHIP programs are met.

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