RALEIGH, NC – June 14, 2022 – Tomorrow, over 100 cancer survivors and individuals within the coverage gap will gather across from the capitol building at Bicentennial Plaza at 9:15 a.m. to call on House members to stop holding up Medicaid expansion and follow the Senate’s lead in providing necessary and urgent care to North Carolina families.
The event is part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) annual ‘cancer action day’ in which participants will also meet individually with their respective lawmaker throughout the day to share their struggles of falling within the coverage gap or stories of loved ones who have or continue to do so as well as what the policy would mean for their families.
WHY: Increasing eligibility for Medicaid passed the Senate in a near unanimous vote (44-2) last month, a reflection of the bi-partisan support from constituents on the issue. The bill is waiting in the House despite wide support across party lines and increasing need to make care more affordable.
Eligibility for the program doubled at the onset of the pandemic. Cancer patients and others with chronic diseases in particular have the most to lose if the measure stalls as simply having coverage is one of the biggest determining factors for survivorship against care and reasons for higher mortality rates in Black, Latino and rural communities across the state.
Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death for North Carolinians and ACS research continues to show significantly higher cancer mortality rates for patients living in ‘holdout’ states that have yet to expand compared to those living in expansion states.
WHO: The below individuals will speak at the event and are available for interviews. The press conference will conclude with a short Q+A beginning at 9:45 a.m.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 15th from 9:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.
WHERE: Bicentennial Plaza, 1 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601
HOW: Contact Taylor Hall at [email protected] or 305.742.6458 to RSVP for the event.