As a lung cancer advocate from Maine whose family has been impacted by this terrible disease, I am deeply concerned about the massive cuts to Medicaid being proposed by Congress. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Taking away coverage for millions of people will jeopardize our progress in defeating this disease.

In April, I joined fellow advocates in Washington, D.C., to urge Sen. Susan Collins to protect Medicaid. Having lost my mom to lung cancer at a young age, I know the challenges families face when facing lung cancer. Worrying about losing their coverage and access to treatments should not add to their burden. One in four lung cancer patients under age 65 rely on Medicaid for their care.

Sen. Collins has committed to preserving Medicaid, but all of the changes that Congress is considering – including adding work reporting requirements and reducing funding for Medicaid expansion – are cuts that will terminate health care coverage when people need it most. I urge readers to contact their members of Congress and demand they protect Medicaid.

Evan Lelansky
Raymond