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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Virginia State Senator Emmett Hanger Receives National Distinguished Advocacy Award for Championing Lifesaving Cancer Public Policy

September 26, 2018

Virginia

Virginia State Sen. Hanger received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in recognition of his dedication to expand access to health care.

New Report Shows State Lawmakers Can Do More to Prevent and Reduce Cancer

August 9, 2018

State lawmakers across the country are missing important opportunities to pass and implement proven legislative solutions to prevent and fight cancer, according to a report released today by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). How Do You Measure Up?: A Progress Report on State Legislative Activity to Reduce Cancer Incidence and Mortality grades states on the strength of evidence-based policies that help to prevent cancer, which kills roughly 1,670 people a day nationwide, forces patients to pay nearly $4 billion in out-of-pocket expenses every year and in 2015 cost the country more than $80 billion in direct medical expenditures.

Idaho Lawmakers Have Opportunity to Save Lives and Money

August 9, 2018

Idaho

BOISE, Idaho – Idaho is falling short when it comes to implementing policies and passing legislation to prevent and reduce suffering and death from cancer. According to the latest edition of How Do You Measure Up?: A Progress Report on State Legislative Activity to Reduce Cancer Incidence and Mortality,

Judge Halts Kentucky Medicaid Work Requirements

June 29, 2018

Kentucky, National

Today a federal judge ruled the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) failed to adequately consider how Kentucky’s proposed Medicaid work rules would effect residents’ access to health care as required under federal law.