As a physician and researcher, I’m deeply concerned about proposed cuts to Medicaid — as the burden will land on the patients I serve. Equitable access to healthcare is essential to quality cancer care and research into future cures.
Thanks to publicly supported research, we have made incredible strides in understanding cancer and how to detect and prevent it. We’ve developed better screening tools to catch cancer earlier, and we continue to research breakthroughs in new treatments. Because of these achievements, survival rates are improving, which brings us closer to ending the cancer burden as we know it, for everyone, as cancer affects Americans from all walks of life.
A cancer diagnosis is often the worst moment of one’s life, but patients find hope in the treatments available to them. My research is currently focused on developing treatments that use a patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer. I’m working on how to make these treatments work better for leukemia and multiple myeloma, which are types of cancer that affect white blood cells. This type of therapy demonstrates the power of what can be achieved with cancer research. In just the last few years, these treatments have gone from first being studied in the lab, supported by government funded research, to regular use in patients against their cancer and putting them in remission for years longer than would have been possible with older therapies. I’m passionate about contributing to these advances in cancer research. However, the scientific breakthroughs my colleagues and I are developing mean little if patients can’t access them.
That’s where Medicaid plays an important role.
Studies show Medicaid improves insurance coverage among cancer patients and survivors. Access increases early detection, when the disease is more treatable, and improves cancer survival rates.
In Colorado, more than 1.3 million children and adults — nearly a quarter of our population — relied on Medicaid for health insurance in 2024. Enrollees who have been treated for cancer will need ongoing monitoring, treatment, and screening for the rest of their lives.
Despite this, members of Congress, including Colorado’s own Rep. Gabe Evans (CD-8), recently voted for deep cuts to Medicaid and adding work requirements, which isn’t in line with what Coloradans want. Ninety percent of voters support a strong Medicaid program, and 70 percent oppose cuts.
Because of Medicaid, more people are getting screened for cancer and treated before the disease has a chance to metastasize. Data shows colorectal cancer and breast cancer screening among low-income adults rose in Medicaid expansion states compared to non-expansion states. Access to Medicaid leads to cancer being diagnosed earlier, more timely treatment, improved survival rates and reduced cancer mortality.
As it stands, the bill would currently add work requirements to Medicaid. Such a move would create barriers to health insurance for Coloradans. Cancer patients often can’t work during treatment to deal with the symptoms of cancer, chemotherapy, and frequent medical visits or hospitalizations. Losing health care coverage during this vulnerable time would risk them losing access to treatment, a chance of long-term survival, and getting back to their roles in the community.
I advocate for cancer patients to have access to the treatments they need to continue improving care for all. When Rep. Evans signed the “Cancer Promise” during the 2024 election, he pledged support to ending the cancer burden, as we know it, for everyone. That promise includes accelerating cures which I have dedicated my life to helping make it possible.
The congressman didn’t keep his promise this time around, jeopardizing the health of our citizens. I hope once the bill goes back to the House, he keeps his word by voting no on Medicaid cuts and work requirements. Despite what Rep. Evans has said, the fear of losing Medicaid isn’t political — it’s real, especially for those fighting cancer and their families.
Dr. Haley Simpson, MD, PhD, is a board member of the Rocky Mountain Oncology Society and serves as Policy Committee Chair, and a partner of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
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