RALEIGH, NC – June 21, 2022 – A new series of advertisements paid for by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) launched yesterday citing the impact Medicaid expansion can have on the health of North Carolinians as well as the state economy and rural areas, following a first ad that ran beginning on the 15th naming Rep. John Bell.
With the Senate’s near unanimous vote to increase Medicaid eligibility last month, the ads are part of a larger effort by ACS CAN to continue to urge House members to provide affordable, adequate access to health care to over 600,000 North Carolinians.
The ads note key lawmakers as ‘standing in the way’ of the lifesaving measure including Rep. Bell, Rep. Wheatley, Rep. Davis, Rep. Zenger, Rep. Faircloth, Rep. Bradford, Rep. Baker, Rep. Hardister and Rep. Humphrey and are appearing on local TV and cable stations alongside digital spots in their respective districts including Raleigh, Charlotte, Greenville, Wilmington and Greensboro.
“Medicaid expansion has been and continues to be a national priority for ACS CAN as lack of access to health care is a major barrier for those who need cancer screening, treatment and follow-up care,” noted ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse. “We have fought to ensure that lifesaving care is accessible for everyone. Expanding Medicaid in the 12 remaining states in the country that have yet to do so, including North Carolina, is long past due. Taking this action will benefit not only hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians but also will have a huge impact on the economic health across the state. With overwhelming Senate support and $1.5 billion in federal dollars that will come into the state, lawmakers support of Medicaid expansion has never been more critical or opportune for North Carolinians. Now is the time for North Carolina to become the next state to expand Medicaid.”
Medicaid expansion would remove major cost barriers to cancer care and give North Carolinians a fighting chance to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer as it continues to be the leading cause of death for the state.