Cancer Leadership Council Statement on Medicaid and Support for Cancer Patients

A Congressional budget resolution targeting potential reductions to federal Medicaid spending is being considered by the House of Representatives this week. Medicaid is the primary program providing comprehensive health and long-term care to one in five people living in the United States. Reductions in Medicaid could have implications for enrollees with cancer, including lymphoma. The Cancer Leadership Council is urging lawmakers to continue their strong support for cancer patients and others who depend on Medicaid. Below outlines the full statement by the Cancer Leadership Council on Medicaid and support for cancer patients.

---

Cancer Organizations United to Protect Medicaid Coverage

Washington, DC, February 25, 2025 – The House of Representatives will this week consider a budget resolution that instructs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to reduce spending by $880 billion. Most of those cuts are expected to come from Medicaid.

Cuts of this magnitude would have a devastating impact on the 80 million Americans enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) nationwide. The undersigned organizations represent cancer survivors; health care providers; cancer researchers; and the families, friends, and caregivers of people with cancer. We urge Members of Congress to reject a budget resolution that puts Americans – including people with cancer – at great risk. We urge the House of Representatives to protect Medicaid coverage and ensure that millions of Americans can rest assured that they will have access to care through Medicaid.

“More than 2 million people with cancer (children and adults under age 65) 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 access to screening tests, early diagnosis, treatment after diagnosis, and long-term care to address the late effects of cancer and cancer treatment. Medicaid, by protecting access to quality cancer care, is a critical part of our nation’s war against cancer.

“We raise our voices in opposition to deep reductions in Medicaid spending that would block access to care for millions. The budget resolution instructs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to reduce spending for programs in its jurisdiction by almost a trillion dollars, savings that likely could only be met by substantial reductions to Medicaid spending. Some have suggested that Medicaid cuts can be achieved by instituting per capita caps, reducing the federal match rate for Medicaid expansion, or adding work requirements for adults in Medicaid and that these changes will simply eliminate waste and will not affect people enrolled in Medicaid.

“This assertion that significant changes in the operation of Medicaid will not affect people – including those undergoing cancer treatment – is not reassuring. Changes in Medicaid required to meet the budget resolution spending instructions will likely trigger reductions in Medicaid enrollment. We urge Members of Congress to reject the resolution and the assumption that Medicaid cuts can be achieved without affecting patients, including cancer patients.

“We urge the House to continue its strong support for cancer patients and others who depend on Medicaid and reject a budget resolution that will undermine that support.”

Cancer Leadership Council

Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+)
CancerCare
Cancer Support Community
Children’s Cancer Cause
Fight Colorectal Cancer
International Myeloma Foundation
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
LUNGevity
Lymphoma Research Foundation
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
Susan G. Komen