On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a reconciliation bill that cuts Medicaid funding by an estimated $715 billion – representing the largest-ever cut to Medicaid. If the Senate approves the legislation as currently drafted and it is implemented, these cuts, coupled with other proposed provisions impacting health insurance sold in the marketplace, could result in at least 8.6 million individuals losing their coverage.
Tens of thousands of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers have contacted their members of Congress with one message: Denying millions of people access to affordable, quality health care, which is crucial for the prevention, detection, treatment and survival of cancer, will have devastating consequences. Nationwide advocacy impacted an extremely close vote, 215-214 and avoided the inclusion of per capita caps and sweeping cuts to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, which directly impacts how much funding states receive through Medicaid.
ACS CAN’s team and volunteers will continue advocacy to lawmakers, expressing disappointment to members who supported this bill and explaining why Medicaid coverage is so important in the fight against cancer. Historically, ACS CAN has fought hard to make major strides in increasing access to care since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) passed 15 years ago. The fight is far from over.
ACS CAN is immediately pivoting to urge senators to reject these harmful cuts and prioritize the health and well-being of their constituents by executing the following campaign tactics.
- Encouraging social media engagement to amplify ACS CAN’s national and state channels to help volunteers get the word out and put pressure on U.S. senators.
- Preparing volunteers for in person advocacy during Memorial Day recess.
- Analyzing the hard work shown over this past month and reevaluating tactics, messaging, and impact on key targets.
Keep up with ACS CAN’s advocacy work by regularly checking fightcancer.org. You, too, can get involved in our advocacy work in your personal capacity and take action.
