Jefferson City, MO — Missourians approval of Amendment 2 will improve health outcomes and reduce cancer disparities for 230,000 citizens who will gain access to health insurance coverage through the state’s Medicaid program.
On Tuesday, voters responded “yes” to Amendment 2, which asked if Medicaid should be expanded to low-income parents and adults, many who earn less than $17,500 a year.
“This is an incredible victory for the state of Missouri and countless uninsured individuals, who will gain access to life-changing and lifesaving health insurance coverage,” said ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse. “We know the health insurance coverage provided by Medicaid helps to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of cancer by offering enrollees access to primary care, prevention services and timely cancer screenings. Early detection of cancer increases a patient’s chance for survival. With this vote, Missourians have elected to save lives.”
“Increasing Medicaid eligibility means more Missourians will have access to comprehensive coverage, including cancer screenings, diagnostic testing, treatment services and follow-up care needed to survive the disease that will kill over 13,010 in our state this year,” said ACS CAN Government Relations Director Emily Kalmar. “I’m grateful for our ACS CAN volunteers’ unending passion in the fight against cancer and their hard work to advocate for Medicaid expansion. Your voices were heard.”
In 2020, over 37,540 Missourians will be diagnosed with cancer. Individuals enrolled in Medicaid prior to their cancer diagnosis have better survival rates than those who enroll after their diagnosis. Medicaid expansion led to an increase in both total and earlier-stage cancer diagnoses in expansion states.
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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.