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, 38 states and the District of Columbia have increased access to their Medicaid programs, providing more than twelve 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 12 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.  

  

38 states have increased access to health care through Medicaid, helping provide twelve million Americans with access to lifesaving cancer care.

Latest Updates

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New Poll: North Carolina Voters Demand Final Action on Medicaid Expansion

January 17, 2023
North Carolina

RALEIGH, NC – January 17, 2023 – A recent poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) showed an overwhelming majority of voters (82%) expect the General Assembly to “get the job done”. “More notable than North Carolinians’ strong support on the issue is their demand

Legislative Action Needed to Reduce the Burden of Cancer on Granite Staters

January 5, 2023
New Hampshire

CONCORD – To mark the kickoff of New Hampshire’s 2023 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges legislators to prioritize passing legislation to ease the burden of cancer on Granite Staters. “In 2023, an estimated 8,080 Granite Staters will be diagnosed with cancer. We

Legislative Action Needed to Reduce the Burden of Cancer on Wisconsinites

January 4, 2023
Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. – “As lawmakers dive into the 2023 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges legislators to prioritize passing legislation to ease the burden of cancer on Wisconsinites. “The legislature should act to support policies to preserve funding and access to BadgerCare for

Congress Prioritizes Cancer Research with $2.5 Billion Increase for NIH and $408 Million for NCI in FY 2023 Budget

December 20, 2022
National

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Early this morning Congress released a proposed FY 2023 funding deal that includes an increase of $2.5 billion for biomedical research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $408 million more for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and provides a funding boost to cancer

Increased Access to Medicaid Resources

Comments to CMS re: Medicaid/CHIP Enrollment & Eligibility Streamlining

November 1, 2022

ACS CAN submitted comments strongly supporting several policy changes that will make it easier to apply for, enroll in, and maintain enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP.

ACS CAN Comments re: Request for Information on Access to Coverage and Care in Medicaid & CHIP

April 18, 2022

ACS CAN submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding its 2022 Request for Information on Access to Coverage and Care in Medicaid & CHIP. Our comments address suggested improvements in Medicaid enrollment and eligibility determination, transitions of coverage, national standards for access to care, and the eventual end of the public health emergency and continuous coverage provisions.

ACS CAN Comments re: Oregon Medicaid 1115 Waiver Renewal

April 11, 2022

ACS CAN submitted comments in support of the renewal of Oregon's 1115 Medicaid waiver, including the state's proposal of continuous coverage provisions for children and adults. However, ACS CAN strongly objects to the state's proposal to limit Medicaid coverage of drugs approved through the accelerated approval process, and urges CMS to reject this part of the waiver request.