Increased Access to Medicaid

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.

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ACS CAN Applauds Gov. Evers’ Commitment to Reducing Burden of Cancer in Wisconsin

February 28, 2019

Wisconsin

Today, Gov. Tony Evers released his budget plan, which included funding for tobacco prevention and the state’s Well Woman program for breast and cervical cancer screenings, as well as a tax on e-cigarettes. He also announced his commitment to increasing access to Wisconsin’s Medicaid program. In response, Sara Sahli, Wisconsin government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, released the following statement:

Utah Lawmakers’ Decision to Overrule Voters and Undermine Access to Medicaid is Life-threatening

February 11, 2019

Today lawmakers in Utah passed a bill to reverse the will of Utah voters and undermine access to effective cancer prevention and treatment. The bill, now headed to Governor Gary Herbert’s desk, would delay the start date of Medicaid expansion in Utah, lower the income threshold for eligibility and add administrative barriers that would restrict access to the program.

60 Cancer Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Expand KanCare, Combat Youth Smoking

February 5, 2019

Kansas

Approximately 60 cancer survivors, caregivers and their families from across the state gathered in Topeka today to urge lawmakers to improve Kansans’ access to health care coverage and confront youth smoking rates.

Utah Lawmakers Reverse Voter’s Choice, Undermine Access to Medicaid

February 4, 2019

Utah

SALT LAKE CITY—Today, the Utah Senate passed Senate Bill 96 that reverses the will of Utah voters and will undermine effective cancer prevention and treatment in the state. Utah voters passed Proposition 3 last November to increase access to Medicaid for 150,000 low-income residents earning less than $16,700 a year