JACKSON, MS – October 22, 2024—An estimated 230 Mississippians will hear the words, “You have breast cancer,” during this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Due to the state legislature failing to pass Medicaid expansion this year, many of them will lack access to the health care they need to treat this disease. All Mississippians deserve access to high quality health care.
“Mississippians should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer by having access to quality health care, regardless of income, race or geography,” said Kimberly Hughes, Mississippi government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “Research shows access to health coverage is one of the most significant determining factors in surviving a cancer diagnosis. By expanding Medicaid, our legislators can give more people their best chance at surviving this disease.”
“My wife, Jacqueline, is a breast cancer survivor. I don’t know how we would have gotten through her cancer journey without health care coverage,” said Ronnie Crudup, bishop for the Fellowship of International Churches and senior pastor of New Horizon Church International in Jackson, Mississippi. “I can’t imagine what others without it would do. It is deplorable that hard-working people cannot get good health coverage because they can’t afford it. We as a state can and should do better.”
It is past time for the Mississippi legislature to pass Medicaid expansion. ACS CAN looks forward to working with lawmakers to pass Medicaid expansion in 2025, bringing health care to hard-working Mississippians.