Increasing and Protecting Access to Medicaid

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Research consistently shows people without health insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at later stages, when the disease is harder to treat, more costly and patient outcomes are poorer. Yet Medicaid provides almost 80 million people in America health coverage to get regular check-ups to stay healthy, see a doctor when they are sick, detect diseases like cancer early to give them the best chance of surviving, access medications and treatments they need, and go to the hospital in an emergency. 

We are working to protect and expand access to Medicaid for people impacted by cancer across the country. 

Any cuts to Medicaid funding could jeopardize essential care for people with cancer and make it harder for many to receive cancer screenings to help diagnose cancer early. 

Additionally, we are working to expand Medicaid in the remaining 10 states that have not increased access to their Medicaid programs.  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.  

  

Medicaid provides critical, affordable health coverage to millions of children, seniors, people with disabilities, and other low-income individuals and families in America, including countless cancer patients and survivors.

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Congress: Commit to voting NO on any cuts to Medicaid

We're still in this fight for cancer patients, and we need you in it, too. Send a message to your members of Congress right now urging them to commit to vote no on any cuts to Medicaid in any form.

Latest Updates

May 1, 2025
New York

Today, advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) came from across the Lower Hudson Valley to deliver a message to Rep. Mike Lawler, urging him to protect Medicaid and highlighting how looming cuts would harm the nearly 7 million New Yorkers, including working families, cancer patients and survivors, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans and children, who receive lifesaving care through Medicaid.

April 9, 2025
National

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a budget resolution that could lead to devastating cuts to Medicaid.

April 8, 2025
Indiana

Today, the Indiana House passed out legislation that will add barriers to Indiana’s Medicaid program, including work requirements, adding layers of administrative red tape and burdensome eligibility checks. That’s not acceptable for the 42,150 Hoosiers who will be diagnosed with cancer this year.

April 3, 2025
Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi legislature wrapped its 2025 session today, leaving Mississippians once again vulnerable and without a solution to the health care coverage crisis. In response, Mississippi Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Kimberly Hughes released the following statement: “We

Increasing and Protecting Access to Medicaid Resources

ACS CAN submitted comments in July 2023 to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing grave concerns about Arkansas' request to create work or engagement requirements in Medicaid. 

ACS CAN strongly opposes any attempt by the federal government or states to condition Medicaid coverage on work or community engagement.

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.