• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Rss
  • Store
  • Donate
NCCS - National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • The 1986 Club
    • Ways to Give
    • Our Team
      • Policy Advisors
    • Employment
    • Partnerships
    • Financial Information
  • Policy
    • Quality Cancer Care
    • Access to Care
    • Health Equity
    • Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act (CCSA)
    • Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA)
    • State of Survivorship Survey
      • 2023 Survey
      • 2022 Survey
      • 2021 Survey
      • 2020 Survey
    • Redefining Functional Status (RFS)
  • Get Involved
    • What is Advocacy?
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT)
    • Advocate Engagement Opportunities
    • Survivorship Champions
    • Subscribe to NCCS Updates
    • Elevating Survivorship
    • Survivor Stories
    • Cancerversary
    • State-Based Cancer Advocacy
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Resources for Cancer Survivors
    • Survivorship Checklist
    • Cancer Survival Toolbox
    • Cancer Rehabilitation
    • Integrative Oncology
    • Publications
      • Talking With Your Doctor
      • Self Advocacy
      • Employment Rights
      • Remaining Hopeful
    • Telehealth
    • Taking Charge of Your Care
    • Care Planning for Cancer Survivors
    • Tools For Care Providers
    • Order Our Resources
  • News
  • Events
    • Ellen L. Stovall Award
      • 2023 Winners
      • Awardees
      • Reception and Sponsorship
      • Committees
      • Nominations
    • Cancer Policy Roundtable (CPR)
      • Spring 2023 CPR
      • Fall 2022 CPR
      • Spring 2022 CPR
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) Virtual Symposium 2022
    • 2022 State of Survivorship Survey Results
    • Webinars
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • 0Shopping Cart

Your generous year-end donation will be matched $1 for $1    DONATE

Medicaid Protect Letter Congress Blog

NCCS Urges President Biden and Congress to Support and Protect Medicaid

March 24, 2023/in NCCS News Access to Care, Affordable Care Act, Health Care Coverage Issue Statements, NCCS News

This week, NCCS joined with more than 30 patient advocacy organizations as part of the Partnership to Protect Coverage to urge President Biden and Congress to support and protect the Medicaid program during any upcoming fiscal discussions. The letter calls on the White House and Congress to reject changes to Medicaid’s current financing structure and any proposals that would add barriers to coverage.

“Medicaid provides quality, affordable healthcare coverage for low-income children, adults, pregnant individuals, people with disabilities, and seniors. Any changes to Medicaid’s financing structure like per capita caps or alterations to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP), as well as the addition of any barriers to coverage like work requirements, would harm all of the individuals in these groups.”

“Medicaid provides quality, affordable healthcare coverage for low-income children, adults, pregnant individuals, people with disabilities, and seniors. Any changes to Medicaid’s financing structure like per capita caps or alterations to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP), as well as the addition of any barriers to coverage like work requirements, would harm all of the individuals in these groups.”

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more than 20 million people have gained health care coverage through Medicaid expansion. Patients in states that have expanded Medicaid experience additional benefits. For instance, Medicaid expansion states have experienced an increase in early stage cancer diagnoses, when cancer is more treatable, and overall cancer survival rates. Medical debt is also lower in states that expanded Medicaid. As of late last year, more than 91 million people were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and uninsured rates reached record lows during the pandemic.

Read the letters below or download here: Congress, White House

# # #

PPC Coalition

Partnership to Protect Coverage Letter to Congress

March 23, 2023

The Honorable Charles Schumer
U.S. Senate
322 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
U.S. Senate
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
U.S. House of Representatives
2468 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries
U.S. House of Representatives
2433 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

On behalf of the millions of patients and consumers across the country who face serious, acute, and chronic health conditions, our organizations urge you to be unwavering in your support for the Medicaid program and protect Medicaid alongside Medicare and Social Security during any upcoming fiscal discussions. Any efforts to change Medicaid’s current financing structure or add any barriers to coverage must be rejected.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law 13 years ago today, more than 20 million people have gained healthcare coverage through Medicaid expansion.1 Our country has made significant progress in increasing access to coverage over the past few years and it is critical that we do not jeopardize that progress in upcoming fiscal discussions.

In March 2017, our organizations agreed upon three overarching principles2 to guide any work to reform and improve the nation’s healthcare system. These principles state that: (1) healthcare should be accessible, meaning that coverage should be easy to understand and not pose a barrier to care; (2) healthcare should be affordable, enabling patients to access the treatments they need to live healthy and productive lives; and (3) healthcare must be adequate, meaning healthcare coverage should cover treatments patients need, including all the services in the essential health benefit (EHB) package.

Medicaid provides quality, affordable healthcare coverage for low-income children, adults, pregnant individuals, people with disabilities, and seniors. Any changes to Medicaid’s financing structure like per capita caps or alterations to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP), as well as the addition of any barriers to coverage like work requirements, would harm all of the individuals in these groups.

Here are just a few stories from the patient we represent about why Medicaid is so important to the health and financial security of them and their families:

I have stage 4 lung cancer. Not only was I extremely shocked and devastated by my diagnosis, but I was also worried because I didn’t have health insurance as I was about to embark on a new career. My first thought was that I still needed to be here to finish raising my kids, who at the time were 19 and 11. A social worker started the process for me to get coverage through Medicaid. In the first year and a half after my diagnosis, I had 6 rounds of chemotherapy, 10 rounds of radiation and 3 surgeries – which came to over 30 days in the hospital. All of which was paid for by Medicaid. I know I would not be here more than 11 years later without Medicaid. – Lysa from Florida

 

My daughter, Marie, is on Medically Dependent Children’s Program Waiver in Texas – she is an extremely fragile and medically complex child. This program provides a variety of services for Marie and our family including skilled nursing, respite, secondary insurance through Medicaid, therapies (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy), and a case coordinator who makes sure that all of Marie’s medical needs are addressed. I cannot stress enough how important it was been to receive the skilled nursing! Not only has this allowed us to be able to work (and sleep occasionally!), but it has also kept Marie out of the hospital on countless occasions. And the ability to receive therapies twice a week has been critical to maintaining skills. Medicaid has allowed us to take better care of our daughter and still lead productive lives. -Yssa from Texas

 

I’m a student at Kennesaw State University and I’m also a cancer survivor due to Medicaid. My parents fled Vietnam for a better life in America. As first-generation citizens, they didn’t speak English well, but they were very hard working and paid their taxes. Medicaid kept me and my sisters heathy and gave us a sense of security. But then when I was 17, I was diagnosed with stage 2 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Because of Medicaid, I was able to catch my cancer early. I went through 12 rounds of chemotherapy and today, I am cancer free. Without insurance, the cost of treatment would have ruined my family. My family will always be grateful for Medicaid for saving my life and keeping all of us healthy. – Cindy from Georgia

 

I have been on Medicaid since I was 16, and I continue to be on it as it is the only insurance that I can afford and that will cover most of my medical bills. When hospitalizations are necessary, these can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per stay; which is something neither I nor even a wealthy person could ever afford. I have had anywhere from 3-6 hospital stays per year due to cystic fibrosis (CF), so Medicaid is extremely important for me to be able to receive the necessary health care to stay alive. CF is a lifelong disease thus requiring lifelong insurance, unlike acute health challenges. – Abigail from North Carolina

Our organizations once again urge you to support the Medicaid program and protect Medicaid alongside Medicare and Social Security during any upcoming fiscal discussions. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Alpha-1 Foundation
ALS Association
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
American Kidney Fund
American Liver Foundation
American Lung Association
Arthritis Foundation
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Cancer Support Community
CancerCare
Chronic Disease Coalition
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Epilepsy Foundation
Hemophilia Federation of America
JDRF
Lupus Foundation of America
Lutheran Services in America
Muscular Dystrophy Association
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
National Eczema Association
National Health Council
National Hemophilia Foundation
National Kidney Foundation
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Organization for Rare Disorders
National Patient Advocate Foundation
National Psoriasis Foundation
Susan G. Komen
The AIDS Institute
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

References

1   Department of Health and Human Services. New Reports Show Record 35 Million People Enrolled in Coverage Related to the Affordable Care Act, with Historic 21 Million People Enrolled in Medicaid Expansion Coverage. April 29, 2022.
2   Partnership to Protect Coverage (PPC) Consensus Healthcare Reform Principles

Tags: access, cancer care, Cancer Survivorship, Medicaid
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on LinkedIn
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/Medicaid-Protect-Letter-Congress-Blog.png 628 1200 Kara Kenan https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png Kara Kenan2023-03-24 15:51:462023-03-24 15:51:46NCCS Urges President Biden and Congress to Support and Protect Medicaid

Latest News

Brett Wilson – Navigating Childhood Cancer and Finding Purpose in Advocacy

September 13, 2023
Advocate Spotlight: Brett Wilson Brett Wilson's cancer experience started when she was just two years old. Her mother was concerned…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/Brett-Wilson-Advocate-Spotlight-Blog-Banner.jpg 600 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2023-09-13 13:55:422023-09-13 14:29:44Brett Wilson – Navigating Childhood Cancer and Finding Purpose in Advocacy

Registration Open: 2023 State of Survivorship Survey Results Briefing | October 3

September 7, 2023
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) conducts an annual State of Survivorship Survey, in partnership with Edge…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/Survey-2023-briefing-mc-1200px-2-1.jpg 600 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2023-09-07 11:00:202023-09-07 11:00:20Registration Open: 2023 State of Survivorship Survey Results Briefing | October 3
We did it! DIEP Flap Codes Saved

CMS Announces It Will Retain Breast Reconstruction Codes, A Reversal That Protects Patient Access to DIEP Flap Surgery

August 22, 2023
Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will retain procedure codes for breast cancer reconstruction,…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/DIEP-Flap-Reconstruction-CMS-Codes.jpg 600 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2023-08-22 14:26:202023-08-22 14:26:20CMS Announces It Will Retain Breast Reconstruction Codes, A Reversal That Protects Patient Access to DIEP Flap Surgery

Take Action

Link to: Survivorship Champions

Become a Survivorship Champion

Survivorship Champions is a program for all clinicians and researchers, both oncology and primary care, who are interested in improving survivorship care and primary care’s role in caring for cancer survivors.

Learn More and Join »
Link to: Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT)

Join CPAT

The NCCS Cancer Policy & Advocacy Team (CPAT) is a program for survivors and caregivers to learn about pressing policy issues that affect quality cancer care in order to be engaged as advocates in public policy around the needs of cancer survivors.

Learn More and Join »
Link to: Survivor Stories

Share Your Story

NCCS represents the millions of Americans who share a common experience – living with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis. By sharing your story of how you have been touched by cancer, you are supporting the national cancer survivorship movement.

Share Your Story »

STAY CONNECTED

Together we can improve cancer care for survivors! Sign up to be the first to know about cancer policy issues and ways to take action

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • The 1986 Club
    • Ways to Give
    • Our Team
      • Policy Advisors
    • Employment
    • Partnerships
    • Financial Information
  • Policy
    • Quality Cancer Care
    • Access to Care
    • Health Equity
    • Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act (CCSA)
    • Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA)
    • State of Survivorship Survey
      • 2023 Survey
      • 2022 Survey
      • 2021 Survey
      • 2020 Survey
    • Redefining Functional Status (RFS)
  • Get Involved
    • What is Advocacy?
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT)
    • Advocate Engagement Opportunities
    • Survivorship Champions
    • Subscribe to NCCS Updates
    • Elevating Survivorship
    • Survivor Stories
    • Cancerversary
    • State-Based Cancer Advocacy
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Resources for Cancer Survivors
    • Survivorship Checklist
    • Cancer Survival Toolbox
    • Cancer Rehabilitation
    • Integrative Oncology
    • Publications
      • Talking With Your Doctor
      • Self Advocacy
      • Employment Rights
      • Remaining Hopeful
    • Telehealth
    • Taking Charge of Your Care
    • Care Planning for Cancer Survivors
    • Tools For Care Providers
    • Order Our Resources
  • News
  • Events
    • Ellen L. Stovall Award
      • 2023 Winners
      • Awardees
      • Reception and Sponsorship
      • Committees
      • Nominations
    • Cancer Policy Roundtable (CPR)
      • Spring 2023 CPR
      • Fall 2022 CPR
      • Spring 2022 CPR
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) Virtual Symposium 2022
    • 2022 State of Survivorship Survey Results
    • Webinars
  • Contact Us

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
8455 Colesville Road  |  Suite 930  |  Silver Spring, MD 20910
877-NCCS-YES  |  info@canceradvocacy.org
Privacy Policy  |  Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 1995-2023 by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, NCCS, Cancer Survival Toolbox, and related Logos are registered in the United States as trademarks of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.

NCCS Advocates for Access to DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction SurgeryDiane Heditsian PBS Newshour DIEP FlapNCCS Letter to HHSNCCS Joins With Patient Advocates and Health Care Professionals to Call on CMS...
Scroll to top
Download the Survey Report

"*" indicates required fields

Fill out the form below, and we’ll send the survey report, detailed presentation, and infographic to your email.
Name*
I am a...*
Select any/all that apply.
Consent*
By downloading the survey materials, you will receive updates and information from NCCS via email, which you may unsubscribe from at any time. Your information will never be sold to any third parties.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Download the Survey Report

"*" indicates required fields

Fill out the form below, and we’ll send the survey report, detailed presentation, and infographic to your email.
Name*
I am a...*
Select any/all that apply.
Consent*
By downloading the survey materials, you will receive updates and information from NCCS via email, which you may unsubscribe from at any time. Your information will never be sold to any third parties.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get Updates From NCCS

Be the first to hear about cancer policy and survivorship issues! Subscribe and receive the biweekly NCCS Health Care Roundup, invites to webinars and events, and more.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Connect With Us

Twitter     Facebook     Instagram     LinkedIn     YouTube

Harmar Brereton, MD

Founder
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

 

“Perhaps one of the most impactful collaborations in Dr. Brereton’s extraordinary career remains his early work and long friendship with Ellen Stovall. Through him, and in turn through the thousands of lives he has touched, Ellen’s work continues, and her mission lives on.”

—Karen M. Saunders
President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute