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

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.

March 24, 2026
Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis . – “As lawmakers close the 2025/2026 legislative session, patient advocates are celebrating victories in the fight against cancer. After years of advocacy from volunteers, caregivers and medical professionals, we were thrilled to see the legislature pass Gail’s Law and extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to new moms. “This

February 27, 2026
Kentucky

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

Increasing and Protecting Access to Medicaid Resources

Our latest survey finds that about half of cancer patients and survivors (49%) have incurred medical debt to pay for their cancer care and another 13% expect to incur medical debt as they begin or continue their treatment. Nearly all of those (98%) had health care coverage at the time they accumulated medical debt. This survey also explores the broad health and financial implications of medical debt, how medical debt deepens inequites, and the alarming rate of cancer related medical debt among younger respondents with early diagnoses.

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.

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