Washington, D.C. – Cancer advocates are sounding the alarm as the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to vote this week on a reconciliation bill that includes $715 billion in cuts to Medicaid.
If passed, the measure could result in at least 8.6 million Americans losing their health coverage, according to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). The cuts, which could have a wide-reaching impact on state budgets and uninsured rates, are being called particularly dangerous for cancer patients and survivors who rely heavily on Medicaid for access to lifesaving screenings and treatment.
According to ACS CAN, the organization has mobilized over 100,000 volunteer contacts with lawmakers this year and delivered more than 30,000 petition signatures urging Congress to protect Medicaid. The group is also launching a national ad campaign this week to raise awareness about the issue.
“If the proposed cuts to Medicaid pass, people living with cancer could have their care interrupted or stopped completely,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “Others would lose access to regular cancer screenings and prevention, which would be an enormous setback in our fight against cancer.”
Lacasse added that the timing of the proposed Medicaid reductions is especially troubling. The legislation comes as federal support for Marketplace health plans is set to expire, creating a potential “double hit” for low-income Americans seeking coverage. Without action from Congress to extend those subsidies, millions could find it harder or more expensive to enroll in plans, further limiting access to care.
“The bill before the full House this week has dire consequences for cancer patients, survivors and all those at risk,” Lacasse said. “Congress must reject all efforts to dismantle access to care.”
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