Kansas Legislative Session Ends with Missed Opportunity to Expand Medicaid
Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Kansas Government Relations Director, Megan Word
Kansas Cancer Survivors, Health Care Advocates and Black Nurses Host Medicaid Film Screening at State Capitol
March 5, 2025
TOPEKA, Kan. – At the state Capitol this afternoon, volunteers and members of the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the Wichita Black Nurses Association collaborated to screen “In Due Season,” an ACS CAN original film about Medicaid. Governor Kelly gave opening remarks before the screening.
The film highlights the experiences of three Black Americans caught in the health insurance coverage gap as well as experts who can speak to the history of racial bias in America’s health care system that continues to impact health disparities. The film depicts the urgent need for expanded access to health care.
“Expanding Medicaid is an important tool to tackle the Black maternal mortality crisis and drive health equity in our state,” said Peggy Jones-Foxx, president of the Wichita Black Nurses Association.
“We’ve known for years that lack of access to health care has created health disparities for people of color in our state, especially Black Kansans, and been a contributing factor to low birth weights for babies born to Black mothers. All Kansans need access to affordable health care,” said April Holman, executive director of the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas.
“Kansas is one of 10 states that has not yet expanded Medicaid, leading to dire consequences for 150,000 Kansans stuck in the health care coverage gap. We are working to remove barriers to health care to so that where you live doesn’t determine if you live,” said Megan Word, Kansas government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.
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