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

February 27, 2026
Kentucky

Today, the Kentucky House passed House Bill 2, which creates barriers to Medicaid access in the Commonwealth.

February 2, 2026
Utah

On Friday, the Social Services Appropriations Committee held a public hearing to consider health funding cuts, including potential reductions to the state’s Medicaid program, namely breast and cervical cancer treatment coverage. Funding for 12-month postpartum coverage was originally going to be discussed but was tabled by committee chairs. The American

January 27, 2026
Maine

Ahead of Mills' State of the State address, ACS CAN Calls Attention to Medicaid, Biomarker Testing and Medical Debt

January 27, 2026
Hawaii

With the 2026 legislative session now underway in Hawai’i, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is leading efforts to work with lawmakers on several initiatives which include defending Medicaid and expanding access to screenings for colorectal cancer for the state’s most vulnerable communities. ACS CAN is collaborating

Increasing and Protecting Access to Medicaid Resources

On July 3, 2025, Congress passed the final version of its 2025 budget reconciliation legislation. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network strongly opposed the health changes included in the bill, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates would reduce the number of people with health insurance by 10 million people by 2034 through major cuts to Medicaid and changes to Marketplace and other coverage.

ACS CAN will continue to advocate for affordable access to care for cancer patients.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Pub. Law No. 119-21) makes sweeping changes to the Medicaid program, the Marketplace plans, and private insurance.