TUCSON, AZ. – Today, Arizona advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
delivered 245 petitions to Rep. Juan Ciscomani’s Tucson district office, urging him to protect Medicaid. The petitions, signed by his constituents, highlighted how looming cuts to Medicaid would harm millions of Arizonans, including working families, cancer patients and survivors, pregnant women, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans and children.
Federal lawmakers have proposed slashing up to $880 billion from Medicaid over the next decade. Such devastating cuts would put essential health services at risk for millions of people nationwide and for the more than 2 million Arizonans who rely on Medicaid for lifesaving health care -- including prenatal care for pregnant mothers, prescriptions for limited-income seniors, well-child visits for little kids, and cancer screenings. In Rep. Ciscomani’s district alone, more than 232,000 people are enrolled in Medicaid. Over 10,000 of them have a history of cancer and likely need ongoing monitoring, treatment and screening.
Recently, Rep. Ciscomani joined 12 other members of Congress in signing a letter to House leadership about the importance of Medicaid. They stated, “Balancing the federal budget must not come at the expense of those who depend on these benefits for their health and economic security… Cuts to Medicaid also threaten the viability of hospitals, nursing homes, and safety-net providers nationwide.”
“We are grateful that Rep. Ciscomani understands how critical Medicaid is for ensuring we are keeping our communities healthy and thriving,” said Maria Martinez, breast cancer survivor and Tucson resident. “We urge him to reject any cuts to Medicaid. Now, more than ever, we are counting on him to continue standing up for cancer patients, survivors, and everyone who relies on this vital program.”
ACS CAN will continue to oppose any cuts to Medicaid and advocate for affordable, quality health care for all Arizonans. Learn more at fightcancer.org/Arizona.