Because the founding father of Susan G. Komen and now the Promise Fund, I’ve spent most of my life advocating for folks preventing most cancers. I’ve sat with girls going through probably the most horrifying prognosis of their lives. I’ve held arms in ready rooms, heard the confusion of their voices, and witnessed firsthand how entry to well timed, reasonably priced care can imply the distinction between life and demise.
I additionally converse from private expertise. I’m a most cancers survivor. I do know what it feels prefer to face the uncertainty of a prognosis and the urgency of getting the suitable care, on the proper time. I used to be lucky to have entry to the assets and medical care I wanted, however far too many People don’t.
Courtesy of The Promise Fund
Nancy G. Brinker based the Susan G. Komen (Race for a Remedy) and the Promise Fund. (courtesy, Nancy G. Brinker)
That’s why I urge Congress to tread rigorously because it considers reforms to Medicaid. For thousands and thousands of People — together with most cancers sufferers — Medicaid isn’t a partisan problem. It’s a lifeline.
In response to the American Most cancers Society, in 2023, 10% of adults within the U.S. with a historical past of most cancers relied on Medicaid for his or her well being care. Over one-third of kids newly recognized with most cancers had been enrolled in Medicaid or the Kids’s Well being Insurance coverage Program (CHIP). These packages present vital entry to screenings, diagnostics, therapy and survivorship care. With out them, too many will fall via the cracks, particularly these already going through continual diseases like most cancers.
By way of the Promise Fund, we’ve labored on the entrance strains of this problem. We join underserved girls, most frequently uninsured or underinsured, to life-saving most cancers screenings, diagnostics and care coordination. In South Florida alone, we’ve helped almost 70,000 girls entry care they might in any other case go with out. The tales are heartbreaking: moms delaying care due to price, girls touring hours to search out suppliers who settle for Medicaid, and sufferers navigating the paperwork whereas in the course of therapy. These are the folks Republicans and Democrats in Congress should take into account.
We all know from intensive analysis that Medicaid enlargement has saved lives. It will increase early stage most cancers diagnoses, improves survival charges, and reduces racial and geographic disparities in care. A latest examine confirmed that Medicaid enlargement led to greater survival from most cancers at two years post-diagnosis, notably amongst non-Hispanic Black sufferers in rural areas.
That’s why proposals to cap Medicaid spending or slash the federal match fee are so alarming. Right now, the federal authorities covers between 50% and 77% of Medicaid prices, with a fair greater share for enlargement populations. If the federal match fee is decreased, states will face huge shortfalls. One evaluation discovered that simply 10 states and D.C. would wish to provide you with $43 billion to keep up present packages. The possible final result? Cuts to important advantages, together with pharmaceuticals and community-based providers.
On the identical time, Congress is weighing one other important coverage change with far-reaching penalties: a proposal to implement a tiered tax construction on personal foundations that might elevate taxes on funding revenue — as much as 10% for the most important organizations. This reform, although maybe well-intentioned, would instantly scale back the funds accessible for grantmaking to communities throughout the nation. The Promise Fund has benefited enormously from philanthropic giving, which fuels our capability to attach girls with vital most cancers care. Congress ought to tread rigorously because it considers philanthropy’s freedom to offer, particularly when the end result might have an effect on the well being and well-being of thousands and thousands of People.
As somebody who has spent a long time in public well being advocacy, I perceive the troublesome finances decisions going through lawmakers. However I additionally imagine there are moments after we should put politics apart to protect the well being and dignity of our fellow residents. Reform doesn’t need to imply retreat. Congress can and may discover bipartisan methods to strengthen Medicaid, modernize the system, and root out inefficiencies with out sacrificing entry.
I made a promise to my sister, Susan, that I might do every thing in my energy to finish the disgrace, concern and injustice surrounding most cancers. That promise has led me to construct organizations, stroll hospital corridors, foyer Congress and converse up when the stakes are highest.
Right now, these stakes are as soon as once more clear. Congress should act not with partisanship, however with compassion. For most cancers sufferers throughout this nation, Medicaid is greater than a program, it’s a promise. Let’s hold it.
Nancy G. Brinker, of Palm Seaside, served as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary and the twenty ninth Chief of Protocol of america. She is the founding father of Susan G. Komen and the Promise Fund.
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