GARNER, NC – February 10, 2022 – A recent study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) found that cancer patients living in states with lower Medicaid income eligibility limits, such as North Carolina, had worse survival rates for most cancers in comparison to those living in the 38 other states with higher Medicaid income eligibility limits.
“Everyone deserves a fighting chance against cancer and where you live shouldn’t be a determining factor,” noted Derwin Montgomery, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Government Relations Director in North Carolina. “This study is just one of many findings that continue to reiterate the pressing need for lawmakers to increase eligibility for Medicaid, especially in light of the pandemic’s financial impacts on North Carolinians.”
Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death in the Tar Heel State. This year alone, nearly 65,320 North Carolinians will be diagnosed with cancer – too many of which will be uninsured when they receive the devastating news.
“Our progress in the fight against cancer rests heavily on the ability of our legislature to provide a path to adequate and affordable coverage for the over 40 percent of North Carolinians who fall within the gap,” added Montgomery. “At such a pivotal moment in the fight and within public health at-large, it’s time we take strong, meaningful action to help ensure individuals have access to the care they need.”
Conversations around Medicaid expansion circulated halls of the Capitol much of last year, with support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Most recently, the legislature introduced a special committee of lawmakers dedicated to more thoroughly looking at legislation to do so.
“I went two years without health insurance after my diagnosis. Not only was maintaining my care and paying for medications extremely challenging for me, but it took a massive toll on my mental health not knowing how I’d be able to afford the next treatment and care I needed,” shared ACS CAN North Carolina ACT Lead Volunteer and local Garner resident Francina Booker. “Having access to Medicaid would give North Carolinians a fighting chance to get the treatment needed and deserved. No one should not have to sacrifice their well-being – or their life.”
The study also found that access to affordable health coverage for more adults with lower incomes promotes earlier cancer detection, fewer deaths and improved outcomes for patients diagnosed with cancer, going beyond screening and early detection and to treatment and survivorship care. ACS researchers looked at more than 1.4 million adults newly diagnosed with 19 common cancers during 2010-2013 identified from the National Cancer Database, and follow-up data up to eight years after.