American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Phone: 312.279.7284
Email: [email protected]
MADISON, Wis. – May 9, 2019 – Today, the Wisconsin Legislature voted to remove Medicaid expansion funding from the state budget. In response, Sara Sahli, Wisconsin government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, released the following statement:
“On behalf of the 94 people diagnosed with cancer every day in Wisconsin, ACS CAN is concerned with the elimination of funding for increased access to Medicaid. Simply put, Medicaid matters in the fight against cancer.
“Federal funding for increased Medicaid access would provide tens of thousands of Wisconsinites with timely and lifesaving cancer screenings, early detection services and treatments. Studies have shown that cancer patients without health insurance or Medicaid coverage are less likely to use these types of services and tend to fare worse than patients with insurance. Uninsured patients are more likely to have their cancer detected at a later stage, when it’s more difficult and more expensive to treat, and are less likely to survive.
“Increasing access to care for hard-working, low-income Wisconsinites is one of the most impactful ways we can fight back against cancer. It will also create a healthier workforce, boost our economy, reduce the amount of uncompensated care in our health care system and keep Wisconsin economically competitive. We urge the Legislature to reconsider their decision and put Medicaid dollars back into the state budget.”
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
