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 millions of 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. 

In July of 2025, Congress voted to make the largest cuts to Medicaid in history. As these cuts and related policy changes take effect, we are working at the federal and state levels to elevate the voices of cancer patients and survivors and to protect access to quality, affordable health care.

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. 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.

Latest Updates

May 14, 2026
Montana

HELENA, Mont. – Montana will implement work requirements on its Medicaid expansion population on July 1, becoming just the second state to proceed ahead of the federal mandate of January 2027, per HR 1. The access to care that about 80,000 Montanans get through Montana Medicaid has led to better

May 4, 2026
Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa – Statement from Jackie Cale, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Iowa government relations director: “ACS CAN is disappointed that lawmakers closed the legislative session without passing major legislation to ease the burden of cancer on Iowans. Iowa has the 2 nd highest incident

April 30, 2026
North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. – 14 nonpartisan organizations representing millions of patients living with serious and chronic health conditions are concerned that HB 696 CCS, signed by Gov. Josh Stein Thursday, puts in place new, overly burdensome requirements for people with Medicaid health insurance coverage in North Carolina. The patients we represent

April 2, 2026
Kentucky

The Kentucky legislature passed House Bill 2, codifying provisions of the new federal Medicaid law related to Medicaid work reporting requirements and co-payments into state statute.

Increasing and Protecting Access to Medicaid Resources

Medicaid is a critical source of health insurance and coverage for more than 77 million Americans, including people with cancer who rely on the program for prevention, timely detection, treatment, and survival. The 2025 budget reconciliation bill makes significant changes to key Medicaid funding mechanisms like state-directed payments and provider taxes, which are expected to reduce states’ ability to finance their Medicaid programs. This factsheet outlines what these changes mean, the projected financial impact on states, and consequences for patient access to cancer care.

ACS CAN submitted comments to CMS opposing Montana's 1115 waiver application to implement work requirements and premiums in their Medicaid program.

ACS CAN opposes policies that condition Medicaid enrollment on work or reporting of work.