On World Cancer Day, Families USA Calls on Congress to Keep Its “Hands Off Medicaid” to Protect Coverage and Care for Cancer Patients and Working Families - Families USA Skip to Main Content
02.04.2025 / Press Release

On World Cancer Day, Families USA Calls on Congress to Keep Its “Hands Off Medicaid” to Protect Coverage and Care for Cancer Patients and Working Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On World Cancer Day (February 4), which honors the unique experiences of individuals and families affected by a cancer diagnosis, health and consumer advocates highlighted the importance of Medicaid to provide critical access to affordable coverage and care for cancer patients to manage their condition. This effort by Families USA and other organizations aligns with the current World Cancer Day campaign, “United by Unique,” which places individuals and their stories at the epicenter of raising awareness and taking action.

Medicaid provides coverage and is central to the health and well-being of 80 million Americans — especially those managing chronic diseases like cancer. Groups seeking to ensure consistent access to life-saving care are urging Congress to keep its “hands off Medicaid” and protect the program against any attempts to cut or cap funding.

“It’s difficult to find a person in this nation who has not lost a loved one to cancer — and it’s even worse when they face this terrible disease without coverage to help prevent it from getting worse, to treat it, or from causing financial catastrophe for the family. We are all just one diagnosis away from being dependent on our health care to survive and thrive, and that’s why we need Medicaid which provides coverage for so many, and is a safety net for all of us,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of Families USA. “For millions of working families across this nation, Medicaid is that lifeline, ensuring that they can get the health care they need, whether it’s cancer treatments or preventive screenings that might be the difference between life and death.”

Despite President Trump’s recent comments that he will protect Medicaid along with Medicare and Social Security, Republican lawmakers are currently putting together proposals that would cut or cap Medicaid funding to pay for President Trump’s tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations. These proposals will threaten access to care for millions of Americans and shift costs onto working families who are already struggling to afford health care.

Medicaid Matters for Our Family, Friends, Neighbors and the Economy
Medicaid is critical coverage for low-income Americans with cancer. In 2023, approximately 1 in 10 of adults with a history of cancer relied on it for their health care — and it covers an estimated 16.9% of newly diagnosed cases. If Congressional leaders and the administration cut funding to Medicaid, fewer people would have access to preventive services such as cancer screenings and timely treatment that are crucial for early detection, improved outcomes and survival.

Cutting Medicaid is a threat to all areas of the health care system and our economy:

Hospitals
Cuts to Medicaid could result in increased uncompensated care costs and put financial strain on hospitals, especially in rural areas, and potentially lead to closures of specialty cancer centers or reduced services.

State Budgets
Cuts to federal Medicaid spending will mean states have less money to administer the program. In response, states may have to:

  • cut coverage for people in certain eligibility groups, including those with cancer,
  • take steps to reduce those who enroll in or stay on Medicaid, making it more difficult to access benefits like coverage of life-saving cancer screenings and treatment,
  • reduce health benefits that are important for cancer patients, like prescription drugs and home- and community-based services.

Medicaid cuts may mean states pass the costs onto Medicaid enrollees. This puts low-income people with cancer at risk of being unable to afford their treatments if they can’t pay their premiums. Higher out-of-pocket costs lead to financial strain and potential medical debt for vulnerable people with cancer.