Research consistently shows people without health insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at later stages, when the disease is harder to treat, more costly and patient outcomes are poorer. Yet Medicaid provides almost 80 million people in America health coverage to get regular check-ups to stay healthy, see a doctor when they are sick, detect diseases like cancer early to give them the best chance of surviving, access medications and treatments they need, and go to the hospital in an emergency.
We are working to protect and expand access to Medicaid for people impacted by cancer across the country.
Any cuts to Medicaid funding could jeopardize essential care for people with cancer and make it harder for many to receive cancer screenings to help diagnose cancer early.
Additionally, we are working to expand Medicaid in the remaining 10 states that have not increased access to their Medicaid programs. 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.