Latest news with #DougHogan
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
American Cancer Society speaks out on impact of potential Medicaid cuts in West Virginia
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — The House Energy and Commerce Committee has unveiled its budget reconciliation bill that seeks to further President Trump's agenda of cost-cutting in the federal government. The Committee has claimed the bill cuts down on Medicaid waste, abuse and fraud, but House Democrats and healthcare advocates are pushing back. Democrats are circulating an email on the bill from the Congressional Budget Office, a Federal Agency that stresses non-partisanship. In the email, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill will cut $715 billion in health spending over the next decade. To put that in perspective, the federal government and states spent $860 billion on Medicaid in 2023. The email also said the bill would reduce the number of people with health insurance by at least 8.6 million. 12 News spoke with the American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network, which is trying to bring awareness to the bill's potential impact on the healthcare of people with cancer. Government Relations Director Doug Hogan gave a number of statistics that painted a picture of the situation, including how more than 500,000 West Virginians are enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Nationwide, one in 10 adults who receive a cancer diagnosis are covered by Medicaid, and one in three children who receive a cancer diagnosis are on Medicaid. CarePortal aims to help social workers and families with launch in Preston County Part of the debate on this bill is the proposed new requirements for people to enroll in Medicaid and CHIP, such as work requirements for Medicaid and more frequent eligibility checks for both CHIP and Medicaid. The American Cancer Society said that requirements like this put up barriers and make it harder for people to get healthcare coverage. 'When you pop up these barriers, that's another hoop that someone has to jump through. And many times those folks don't have a lot of resources. They may be working two or three jobs themselves right now, just to make ends meet,' Hogan said. The American Cancer Society also pointed out that early diagnosis is key to cancer survival, and that it's afraid that with these changes to Medicaid, it'll be harder for people to get diagnosed. On Tuesday, Congress started its markup session of the bill, beginning the process of amending or rejecting changes. 12 News will continue to monitor the moves and debate around Medicaid and how it reaches West Virginia. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Meeting in Lewisburg about how potential cuts to Medicaid could affect cancer patients
LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS) – American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network hosted a meeting at the Clingman Center in Lewisburg on Tuesday evening, April 29th. The goal of the meeting was to bring in locals from across Greenbrier County to discuss the importance of Medicaid. Specifically, how important Medicaid is for those battling cancer. Farmers seeking answers regarding federal cuts and frozen funds With talks in Washington about potential cuts to Medicaid, the meeting could not have come at a better time. 'Currently, there's about thirty percent with Medicaid coverage here in the state of West Virginia. That's more than one hundred and fifty thousand West Virginian's getting their healthcare through Medicaid. It's certainly a service that a lot of people rely on.' Doug Hogan, Government Relations Director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network A small handful of people gathered to recount their own personal stories of the importance of Medicaid. These personal stories are something Grassroots Manager Katie Rose Garden knows all too well. Here she is recalling a story about a patient named Tammy. 'She lost her husband to cancer almost a year before. Loses her husband to cancer, it's about three weeks after he passes away. She goes to get a mammogram and it turns out she has cancer as well. Medicaid saved her life.' Katie Rose Garden, Grassroots Manager of American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Despite the limited showing, the group remains unfazed. Local insurance agent partners with nonprofit to host food and supply drive for cats They said any potential cuts to Medicaid can prove disastrous for those covered under the plan. 'Typically, if a person on Medicaid receives a cancer diagnosis, that diagnosis is earlier. It's an early stage diagnosis where the probability of a successful outcome is much greater and the cost for treating the cancer is much less.' Doug Hogan, Government Relations Director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network The current future of Medicaid remains uncertain with talks still ongoing in Washington. The group urges anyone that has any concerns to contact their local state senators and representatives. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
