Increased Access to Medicaid

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Photograph of a breast exam with a patient and doctor.

Access to Health Care

Where you live should not determine whether you live. But, for millions of low-income Americans, the state they live in could determine if they have access to health services, including cancer care. To date, 40 states and the District of Columbia have increased access to their Medicaid programs, providing over 21 million individuals and families access to health care coverage and to lifesaving tests like mammograms, colonoscopies and other cancer screenings.

We are working in the remaining 10 states to reach the day when everyone has access to affordable health care. Going to the doctor is much cheaper than going to the emergency room. And, for a family, preventing cancer is much less expensive than treating it. 

We know how to save lives from cancer.  And we know how to save money on health care costs. Ensuring that low-income working families have access to affordable health insurance – especially during tough times – is an important first step.  

  

40 states have increased access to health care through Medicaid, helping provide twelve million Americans with access to lifesaving cancer care.

Latest Updates

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Senator Ballweg Receives Award for Championing Lifesaving Cancer Public Policy

October 17, 2024
Wisconsin

Windsor, Wis . – Senator Joan Ballweg met with board members from the American Cancer Society in Wisconsin, Chair Cory Recknor and Korey Feiner, to receive the State Senator of the Year award, one of the most prestigious awards presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN),

Cover SC Launches with Call for Legislature to Enact Medicaid Expansion

September 24, 2024
South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Today, GOP leaders, North Carolina legislators Donny Lambeth and Kevin Corbin, joined health advocates along with business and faith leaders to hold a press conference at the South Carolina State House. The event called on the South Carolina Legislature to enact Medicaid expansion and announced the launch

New Poll: Majority of Wisconsin Voters Say Candidate’s Position on Affordable Health Care a Deciding Factor

August 27, 2024
Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis . – A recent poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shows 85% of Wisconsin voters view a candidate’s position on access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage as a vote-determining factor. The poll findings showed that Wisconsinites struggle with medical debt. In Wisconsin, 7

National Film Premiere Offers Look into Life Inside the Health Insurance Coverage Gap, Highlights Urgency Behind Expanding Medicaid

July 31, 2024
National

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) hosted a national premiere of the short film “ In Due Season ” on Wednesday night in Washington, D.C.

Increased Access to Medicaid Resources

ACS CAN Comments re: TN 1115 Medicaid Waiver

September 9, 2021

ACS CAN submitted comments opposing Tennessee's proposal to fund its Medicaid program through a block grant and implement a closed formulary.

Medicaid Section 1115 Research and Demonstration Waivers

January 10, 2020

An increasing number of states are seeking greater flexibility in administering their Medicaid programs. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) give states the opportunity to test innovative or alternative approaches to providing health care coverage to their Medicaid populations through Section 1115 Research and Demonstration Waivers (otherwise known as "1115 waivers"). States must demonstrate that their waivers promote the objectives of the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) and CMS must use general criteria to determine whether the objectives of the Medicaid/CHIP programs are met.

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