Cancer advocates stage a digital takeover

COLUMBUS — This week, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is staging a digital takeover nationwide, including here in Ohio, calling on Congress to protect Medicaid. The House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee will be voting this week on proposed cuts to Medicaid and ACS CAN volunteers and cancer advocates are taking to social media to show these lawmakers how devastating those cuts would be to the lives of so many people. The social media Day of Action, May 13, is paired with the launch of a new ad series, “Cuts Have Consequences.” The ad makes clear that slashing Medicaid will shorten cancer patients’ lives, and advocates in Ohio won’t stand for it.

“As someone who lost their spouse to cancer, I’m appalled to see representatives in Washington, D.C., even considering slashing access to health insurance coverage through Medicaid,” said Vince Marchetta. “Any cuts to this program in any form will rip health coverage away from cancer patients and survivors who are currently depending on that coverage to receive the lifesaving care they need. We’re urging Representatives Latta, Balderson, Rulli and Landsman to stand up for the health of Ohioans and vote against cuts to Medicaid.”

The Medicaid program is the top health insurance provider in the nation, covering nearly 80 million people. Currently, one in 10 people with a history of cancer and one in three children diagnosed with the disease have Medicaid coverage. In Ohio, 2.9 million children and adults are insured by Medicaid or CHIP (HealthyStart). The cuts being proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives will be devastating. Lives will be lost, and state economies will suffer greatly if these cuts are passed and implemented.

“We are committed to making sure the voices of cancer patients and survivors are heard loud and clear in this debate,” said Leo Almeida, ACS CAN government relations director. “The call for savings from Medicaid in the current bill in front of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee will force states to cut people and benefits out of the program. This is not only life-threatening to thousands of Ohioans, it also puts our hospital systems, especially rural health systems, at great risk.”

Since January, ACS CAN’s tireless volunteers and cancer advocates have reached out to lawmakers nearly 67,000 times, sent more than 100,000 messages and more than 30,000 petitions urging Congress to vote against any cuts to Medicaid in any form. This week, Ohio cancer advocates call on Representatives Latta, Balderson, Rulli and Landsman to do the right thing and stand up for this lifesaving program. There is simply too much at stake.