Medicaid Cuts Could Leave Hundreds of Thousands of New Yorkers Facing Life-Threatening Health Challenges

WASHINGTON, D.C. (09/08/2011)(readMedia)-- Cuts to Medicaid, an option the new congressional "super committee" may consider, could pose a specific and dangerous threat to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who depend on the program for regular treatment of such medical conditions as cancer, diabetes, chronic lung disease, heart disease, and stroke. Without Medicaid, many of these seriously-ill New Yorkers would no longer be able to fill essential prescriptions, keep up with key screenings, or see a doctor if their condition worsens or reoccurs.

A new report will be released Wednesday, September 14, detailing the importance of Medicaid to New Yorkers. The report will be released jointly by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Diabetes Association, the American Lung Association, and the health care consumer group Families USA at a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Reports for three other of the nation's largest states-California, Illinois and Texas-will be released at the same event.

The New York report will provide state-specific information on the number of children, adults, and seniors in the state who rely on Medicaid for treatment of:

• cancer,

• diabetes,

• chronic lung diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis, and

• heart disease or stroke.

Note: To assist New York reporters who are not able to attend the event in person, the live audio feed of the teleconference will be made available and reporters will be able to ask questions from offsite.

WHAT: Teleconference and Release of Report, "Medicaid's Impact in New York"

WHERE: Fourth Estate room, 13th Floor, National Press Building, 529 14th St NW Washington, DC

WHEN: 9:45 a.m., Wednesday, September 14, 2011

HOW: To participate toll-free from offsite, call 1-800-671-8331

WHO:

• Christopher Hansen, President, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
• Gina Gavlak, RN, BSN, Vice Chair, National Advocacy Committee, American Diabetes Association
• Charles D. Connor, President and CEO of the American Lung Association
• Ron Pollack, Executive Director, Families USA

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan, and its mission is to secure high-quality, affordable health coverage and care for all Americans

ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.acscan.org.

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, a Charity Navigator Four Star Charity and holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.LungUSA.org.