JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Today, Gov. Mike Parson delivered his State of the State Address and released his proposed fiscal year 2022 budget. Emily Kalmer, director of government relations in Missouri for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), made the following statement in reaction.
“As an organization dedicated to reducing suffering and death from cancer, ACS CAN is pleased to see the governor prioritizing access to health insurance coverage and public health in his proposed budget. Today, the governor honored the will of Missourians by including funding to implement Medicaid expansion.
“In August 2020, voters approved Amendment 2, which will provide lower income parents and adults access to comprehensive health insurance coverage through MO Healthnet - the state’s Medicaid program. Now, the governor and the legislature will have to take action to appropriate the funding and implement this life-changing and lifesaving program.
“The expansion of MO Healthnet will help improve access to primary care, preventive services, diagnostic testing and cancer treatment care which will help reduce the burden of cancer and address health disparities. The pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated existing health and cancer disparities and expanding access to MO Healthnet will help us in the fight against cancer and COVID-19.
“ACS CAN applauds Gov. Parson for respecting the will of Missourians and for taking this first step to fund the MO Healthnet expansion. We look forward to working with the governor, his administration and the legislature to ensure that the final budget includes adequate funding to fully implement this lifesaving program.”
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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.