Protecting Access to Medicaid for Cancer Survivors

More than 2 million people with cancer are enrolled in Medicaid; this includes 1 in 3 children newly diagnosed with cancer. For these cancer patients, Medicaid is a lifeline. It provides them with access to screening tests, early diagnosis, treatment after diagnosis, and long-term care to address the late effects of cancer and cancer treatment. Research shows people without insurance are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages and have poorer outcomes. Which is why we are working to ensure access to Medicaid programs, to provide every person facing a cancer diagnosis the best chance of survival.

Advocate Stories: Read how Medicaid cuts could put the cancer community at risk

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Brian, a young father in Texas, died of leukemia in 2022 because he couldn’t afford insurance or the out-of-pocket costs of treatment – costs he wouldn’t have faced if Texas had expanded Medicaid.

Heather and Ryan live in Texas. They faced their biggest fears when their 3-year-old son, Hutson, was diagnosed with leukemia. Hutson faced side effects from the disease and its lifesaving treatments that no toddler should have to endure – from extensive dental work, developmental issues, and mental health challenges. Medicaid saved Hutson’s life. Without it, they wouldn’t have been able to care for him on-schedule and on-plan.

Lysa was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in 2011 and Medicaid paid for her first year of treatment. At the time, she was hoping to live to see her daughter graduate from high school. Almost 14 years later, Lysa is about to be a grandmother.

Annie from Texas, diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at 26 years old. It is very difficult to find a medication that her cancer responds to, but the one that keeps her alive costs $15,000 a month. There is no generic option available. She lives in constant fear of the financial obstacles and the stress of navigating how to stay alive. Her life depends on Medicaid.

DeAnna, a North Carolinian with blood cancer, was denied a lifesaving stem cell transplant until her state expanded Medicaid. She is alive today because Medicaid covered her treatment when she was finally able to access coverage in the state.

Alexa lives in Pennsylvania. When her daughter, Penny, was diagnosed with leukemia at just two years old, Medicaid gave their family the ability to access the most effective treatments for her child. Alexa says that without Medicaid, they would be buried in medical debt just trying to keep Penny alive.

Milly, from Oklahoma, was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after having her first child while finishing college. Because she had Medicaid, she received the treatment she needed and went on to graduate from law school, build a thriving legal career, and raise two children. Her future was made possible by Medicaid.

Kristen, from Alaska, was diagnosed with breast cancer during the pandemic and spent 2020 undergoing radiation and multiple surgeries. Thanks to Medicaid, she was able to focus on healing without the added burden of medical debt. A year later, she got married and now has private insurance through her husband – Medicaid gave her the foundation to move forward.

A work injury that wouldn’t heal led Thomas, from Louisiana, to the ER, where he was unexpectedly diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While his employer-sponsored insurance covered much of his treatment, Medicaid helped cover critical out-of-pocket costs like co-pays and medications. Now in remission, Thomas is preparing to return to work – Medicaid helped make that possible.