Early on Thursday morning, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network President Lisa Lacasse released a statement regarding the passage of a reconciliation bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that is set to cut Medicaid funding by $715 billion; you can read the entirety of the statement below.
“Early this morning, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a reconciliation bill that cuts Medicaid funding by an estimated $715 billion. If approved by the U.S. Senate and implemented, these cuts will directly increase the number of uninsured individuals across the country, raise overall health care costs, and negatively impact state budgets. Most critically, these reductions will deny millions of people access to affordable, quality health care, which is crucial for the prevention, detection, treatment and survival of cancer.
In the final hours of House negotiations, the bill accelerated implementation of these cruel and inappropriately named “work requirements,” proposed to start in December of 2026, years ahead of earlier timelines. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has projected that this Medicaid cut and other cuts within the bill could terminate health coverage for over 8.6 million individuals. Moving up implementation of work requirements in this life-threatening proposal from 2029 to 2026 means cancer patients in active treatment today or others diagnosed between now and the end of 2026 may lose their coverage and access to care in the middle of their treatment plan. This is unacceptable.
Access to health insurance through Medicaid is a lifeline for people who otherwise would have no affordable coverage options. The vast majority of those with Medicaid who can work already do so. Nationally, 92 percent of individuals with Medicaid coverage under age 65 who do not receive Social Security disability benefits are either workers, caregivers, students or unable to work due to illness. Conditioning coverage on work, when nearly all individuals are already working or unable to do so, creates administrative strain while jeopardizing health outcomes.
Work requirements have failed in states resulting in those that continue to be eligible for Medicaid to still lose their coverage. This results in significant barriers to care, making it harder for cancer patients and survivors to recover and stay healthy enough to work. Punishing people with cancer and other serious chronic diseases by terminating their health care will only make them sicker and less able to work. It will do nothing to lower the cost of health care for anyone.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) strongly urges the Senate to reject these harmful cuts and prioritize the health and well-being of their constituents. It is time to stand up for the people, including cancer patients, who depend on Medicaid to survive.”
