| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2023 |
PRESS CONTACT Ben Cook ben.cook@firesidecampaigns.com |
Encouraging Eleven Remaining States to Expand Medicaid on World Cancer Day
States that have yet to expand Medicaid deny access to life-saving care to cancer patients
DENVER — World Cancer Day provides us with an important opportunity to raise awareness about cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. It is also a time to honor those who have fought the disease and advocate for policies to reduce preventable deaths caused by a lack of access to care. So far, thirty-nine states have adopted expanded Medicaid coverage, making it easier to qualify for health care. However, eleven states have yet to adopt this expansion, denying millions who live in these states lower costs on preventative care, early detection, and life-saving treatment.
On World Cancer Day, Health Care Voices Founder Laura Packard urges states that have yet to expand Medicaid to do so as soon as possible:
“As a stage-4 cancer survivor, access to affordable health care saved my life. Without my health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, I never would have been able to afford the treatment that I needed to be in remission today.”
“The states that have failed to adopt expanded Medicaid are doing a disservice to public health. We already know that increased access to care reduces cancer deaths. Despite this, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have failed to expand access to life-saving coverage to their own people. This World Cancer Day, I am thankful to still be here, and encourage the eleven states that have yet to adopt Medicaid expansion to just do it in their legislative sessions this year. Join the rest of the country in increasing access to affordable care.”
Laura Packard is a small business owner and health care advocate, and founder of Health Care Voices, organizing adults with serious medical conditions. She is a stage 4 cancer survivor, and the Affordable Care Act saved her life. Laura is also the host of Care Talk, a call-in health care show on act.tv and podcast to answer America’s health insurance questions about the ACA, Medicare and Medicaid (airing Mondays at 4:30pm ET).
If you’re interested in connecting with Laura to discuss health insurance and coverage, the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare, or the state of America’s health care system more generally, please reach out to ben.cook@firesidecampaigns.com.
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