Gov. Bullock Teams Up With American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network During 2019 Cancer Action Day at Capitol to Keep Medicaid Expansion Alive

HELENA, Montana, March 10 -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network issued the following news release:

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- Bullock Also Challenges Fellow Politicians and State Employees to Fight Cancer by Wearing Suits and Sneakers to Capitol During the Montana Governor's Hoops Challenge

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Gov. Bullock will sport sneakers with his suit on Monday, March 11, 2019, as he goes for a full-court press to urge the Legislature to ensure hard-working, low-income Montanans continue to have access to health care through Medicaid expansion. Going without health insurance can mean the difference between surviving cancer and dying from the disease. That's why volunteer advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will be thanking Gov. Bullock for his support for lifting the sunset on Medicaid expansion so that it doesn't expire in July, leaving some 95,000 without access to care.

Volunteers are coming from across the state to meet with their lawmakers during Monday's annual ACS CAN Cancer Action Day at the Capitol. Along with asking lawmakers to pass House Bill 425, which reauthorizes Medicaid expansion, cancer patients and survivors will advocate for passing Senate Bill 21, which restricts youth under the age of 18 from using indoor tanning devices. Research shows that indoor tanning use before the age of 35 increases melanoma risk by 59 percent, and Montana has one of the highest melanoma rates in the country.

The cancer advocates will also voice their opposition to House Bill 481, which would exempt cigar bars from the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act, even if the establishments expose children to toxic tobacco smoke.

The governor is using the day to also tip off the annual American Cancer Society Suits and Sneakers Montana Governor's Hoops Challenge. During the NCAA basketball tournament from March 18 through April 8, Gov. Bullock challenges politicians and state employees to join the Montana fight cancer by wearing sneakers with their suits or donning their favorite collegiate apparel in exchange for a suggested $5 donation to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Event Details:

Who: Gov. Bullock

Kristin Page-Nei, ACS CAN Montana government relations director

Leah Zins, ACS CAN volunteer cancer advocate who is wheelchair user due to cancer in spine talks about why cancer patients are unable to work during cancer treatment and recovery (ACS CAN cancer advocates oppose any legislation that would add work requirements for Montanans on Medicaid).

When: Monday, March 11, 2019, at 9:45 a.m.

Where: Governor's Reception Room at the State Capitol.

Suits and Sneakers(TM) is part of the Coaches vs. Cancer(R) program, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The initiative leverages the personal experience, community leadership, and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities and advocacy programs conducted by ACS CAN, the Society's advocacy affiliate.

About ACS CAN

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society's nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.