Increased Access to Medicaid

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Where you live should not determine whether you live. But, for millions of low-income Americans, the state they live in could determine if they have access to health services, including cancer care.  To date, 38 states and the District of Columbia have increased access to their Medicaid programs, providing more than twelve million individuals and families access to health care coverage and to lifesaving tests like mammograms, colonoscopies and other cancer screenings. 

We are working in the remaining 12 states to reach the day when everyone has access to affordable health care.  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.  And we know how to save money on health care costs.  Ensuring that low-income working families have access to affordable health insurance – especially during tough times – is an important first step.  

  

38 states have increased access to health care through Medicaid, helping provide twelve million Americans with access to lifesaving cancer care.

Latest Updates

July 28, 2022
North Carolina

RALEIGH, NC – July 28, 2022 – The North Carolina legislature adjourned today for the month after reconvening for the first time since passing the fiscal year 2022 budget. The House and Senate will reconvene periodically over the next five months and have the ability to address priority issues

July 1, 2022

We have good news: One of our top lobbyists just confirmed that members of Congress are hopeful about their negotiations on an upcoming legislative package that could expand access to quality, affordable health care.

June 21, 2022
North Carolina

RALEIGH, NC – June 21, 2022 – A new series of advertisements paid for by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) launched yesterday citing the impact Medicaid expansion can have on the health of North Carolinians as well as the state economy and rural areas, following a

June 17, 2022

The facts are clear: expanding access to Medicaid saves lives from cancer. Yet lawmakers in 12 states refuse to expand access to Medicaid for more than 2 million people who desperately need it. In fact, a new study led by researchers at the American Cancer Society shows the survival rate for people newly diagnosed with cancer is higher in states that have expanded Medicaid than in states that have not.

Increased Access to Medicaid Resources

An estimated 2.2 million low-income adults who would benefit from Medicaid if their state expanded coverage are now in the “coverage gap,” uninsured and unable to qualify for affordable health insurance. Congress must extend quality, affordable coverage to people who need it by closing the Medicaid coverage gap. 

ACS CAN submitted comments opposing Tennessee's proposal to fund its Medicaid program through a block grant and implement a closed formulary.