Call to stand up for patients

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 19, The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the reconciliation bill this week, which includes drastic, $715 billion cuts to Medicaid that will result in at least 8.6 million people losing health insurance coverage, including cancer patients and survivors. If passed and implemented, these cuts will increase the number of uninsured people nationwide, raise overall health care costs and negatively impact state budgets. Most importantly, these reductions will result in more people not being able to access health care, which has been shown to be one of the most important predictors to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is leading efforts nationwide to call on lawmakers to reject cuts to this lifesaving program. ACS AN volunteers and cancer advocates have contacted members of Congress more than 100,000 times and delivered more than 30,000 petition signatures this year urging Congress to protect Medicaid. ACS AN is also launching a national ad this week, highlighting the life-threatening impact these cuts to Medicaid would have on cancer patients nationwide.

The below is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN:

“Increasing the number of uninsured, which these cuts will do, will result in ripping health care away from cancer patients and survivors, including children with cancer. This is unacceptable. The full House must show they won’t stand for this outcome and vote against cuts to Medicaid and any actions to erect barriers to accessing health coverage on the Marketplace when they vote on the reconciliation bill this week. If they don’t stop this bill, it will lead to more suffering and death from cancer.

“If the proposed cuts to Medicaid pass, people living with cancer could have their care interrupted or stopped completely, and others would lose access to regular cancer screenings and prevention, which would be an enormous setback in our fight against cancer.

“Congress is considering these cuts to Medicaid at the same time it is taking no action to extend access to affordable Marketplace plans ahead of a crucial expiration date. This one-two punch would terminate coverage for millions of people on Medicaid while also making it more difficult and more expensive to enroll in a plan on the Marketplace. The legislation sets the stage for the expiration of the enhanced ACA tax credits, which have made health coverage more affordable for millions of Americans, and limits enrollment periods and eligibility for the credits. Thes proposals are designed to cause coverage loss and dismantle access to care nationwide and must be stopped.

“The bill before the full House this week has dire consequences for cancer patients, survivors and all those at risk of developing the disease. ACS AN urges the House to hear the voices of their constituents calling on them to protect access to health insurance for those with no other affordable health care options and vote against any cuts to Medicaid in any form, including work requirements, which has been proven to be a failed policy intervention.”