WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Budget Committee is scheduled to mark up its budget resolution this week, setting the stage for significant cuts in discretionary spending to offset the cost of the package. The House Budget Committee is also expected to mark up their own budget resolution soon. Lawmakers in both chambers have suggested cuts to Medicaid, which provides access to preventive screenings and cancer treatments that help save patients’ lives.

Ahead of the markup, Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released the following statement, urging Congress to resist cuts to the program that is so critical to the cancer fight:

“Any cuts to Medicaid would significantly jeopardize critical health care access for millions of people in America. Research from the American Cancer Society has repeatedly shown that having comprehensive, affordable health insurance is a major determining factor in surviving cancer.

“Medicaid also plays a critical role in the health of our nation’s children, with 1 in 3 childhood cancer patients relying on the program to access essential treatments, medications and supportive services without the burden of overwhelming costs. In this way, Medicaid also helps keep families from experiencing the devastating impacts of medical debt.

“Voters from all political parties overwhelmingly believe that Medicaid is a vital and critical program. Strong majorities (73%) across party lines oppose cuts to Medicaid, including 86% who identify as Democrats, 64% Republicans and 75% Independents, according to ACS CAN’s latest Survivor Views survey, which polls cancer patients and survivors across the country.

“Ensuring the maintenance and expansion of affordable, comprehensive health care coverage through Medicaid will continue to be a top priority for ACS CAN. We urge Congress to reject any proposals to use Medicaid as a piggy bank to pay for other programs and prioritize the health and safety of their constituents by ensuring that those eligible for this critical program, including cancer patients, survivors and their families, continue to have access without barriers.”

In Related ACS CAN Statements:

Executive Actions Impacting the Health and Research Infrastructure Threaten National Security and the Fight Against Cancer

[On February 11] the administration released an executive order to significantly reduce the federal workforce. Together with other executive actions to date, cancer research and innovation are at risk.  

The following is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) reacting to these developments:

“ACS CAN has grave concerns about recent executive actions aimed at reducing the federal workforce and restricting research activities, due to the indisputable impact on the fight against cancer. Health is a national security issue, and our nation’s health infrastructure must be protected, so that we continue to achieve breakthroughs to increase prevention and reduce death and suffering for people diagnosed with cancer. If these changes are implemented, cancer patients stand to lose access to innovative treatments and clinical trials, and the United States will lose its global competitive edge in biomedical research. ACS CAN calls on the administration to consider the drastic consequences these actions can have on cancer patients, survivors and people at risk of developing the disease, and to stand up and protect the programs and services that have made the United States a global leader in cancer research, helping to lead to 18 million cancer survivors living in the U.S. today.”

These press releases were originally published February 12, 2025, by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. They are republished with permission.