OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – April 23, 2019 – Today, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network will premiere a new documentary titled “Critical Condition: Stories of Health in the Heartland” at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park. The short film follows the stories of individuals, families and health care professionals across Kansas as they strive to take care of themselves, their families and their communities.
The documentary was produced by award-winning filmmaker Ky Dickens and is the first in a series of three documentaries set in three different states. The screening events in Overland Park, Salina and Wichita will feature a panel discussion with Dickens, ACS CAN leadership, subjects from the documentary and local community leaders. The events require an RSVP to attend.
The film and premiere events are part of the launch of ACS CAN’s “Medicaid Covers US” campaign, intended to foster a conversation about the value of Medicaid for the health and wellbeing of people, communities and the country. The campaign aims to bring together decision makers, community members and the public in dialogue about the critical services Medicaid provides and focuses on six key states: Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina and Virginia. By telling the stories of the important role this program plays for individuals and communities, ACS CAN is working to elevate the positive impact Medicaid has not just on beneficiaries but on economies across the nation.
“In the fight against cancer, we know that affordable access to health care is critical, and Medicaid plays a big role in helping people get and stay healthy in both Kansas and across the country,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “We have a great community of volunteers and partners in this state, and we are incredibly proud to make Kansas the official site for our launch of ‘Medicaid Covers US.’”
ACS CAN is also releasing new polling as part of the campaign launch. The poll, conducted by Perry Undem and Bellwether Research and Consulting, found that 92 percent of Americans feel that Medicaid is an important program. These numbers cut across political parties. It also found 72 percent of those surveyed support raising Medicaid’s income eligibility levels. Finally, it found that changes to Medicaid programs that could result in eligible residents losing coverage are unpopular. For example, a majority of voters (seven in 10) agree – across both sides of the aisle – that their states should not rush into imposing new reporting requirements as a condition of receiving coverage.
Medicaid, known as KanCare in Kansas, is a health insurance program for low-income children and adults, seniors and people with disabilities.
About ACS CAN:
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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