Missourians need comprehensive affordable health coverage
This op-ed originally ran in the Sun Time News.
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Letter: ACS CAN supports expanding Medicaid eligibility for low-income parents and adults in Kansas and we are asking the same lawmakers
March 11, 2024
Kansas Lawmakers,
Last week volunteers from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) were in the Statehouse meeting with their lawmakers and reminding them that cancer is a public policy priority. In 2024, an estimated 16,640 Kansans will hear the words, “You have cancer”, another 5,660 will lose that battle. Access to timely and affordable cancer screenings and treatment is critical in the fight against cancer. ACS CAN supports expanding Medicaid eligibility for low-income parents and adults in Kansas and we are asking the same from you.
If you are uninsured and you are diagnosed with cancer, you have a 60% greater chance of dying from the disease than if you were insured and diagnosed with cancer. As an elected official you have the power to improve those odds for thousands of Kansans. Your support for Medicaid expansion will provide access to cancer screenings and treatment that for many today, are unaffordable and unworkable. Data shows that health insurance status is the single greatest determinant of cancer survivorship; you have the power to overcome that barrier for the estimated 150,000 low-income Kansas adults and families through Medicaid expansion.
The evidence is clear, access to continuous, comprehensive health care coverage increases cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment and survival rates. Expanding Medicaid eligibility for low-income Kansans will help reduce cancer incidence and mortality in the state. I am asking you to listen to the 72% of Kansans who are in favor of expanding Medicaid; use your voice to support Medicaid expansion in Kansas today.
Thank you.
Roy A. Jensen, M.D.
Board Member, ACS CAN