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Los Angeles Times
27-06-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Mailbag: Urge Rep. Kim to vote ‘no' on taking basic health care away from people
Americans will live sicker and die sooner if Congress approves massive cuts to Medicaid, marketplace plans and private insurance. But it's not too late for Rep. Young Kim to stand up for her constituents, including the nearly 358,000 people in her district who rely on Medicaid. This week, I joined the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to deliver a clear message at Rep. Kim's Anaheim office: Vote 'no' on taking basic health care away from nearly 11 million people nationwide. Instead of working to lower costs, Congress is moving quickly to slash at least $793 billion over 10 years from Medicaid and raise the costs of premiums and services for millions of people. As a cancer survivor who relies on Medicaid for lifesaving care, I call on Rep. Kim to vote against these devastating cuts that make it more difficult and more expensive for people to get the care they need. Dolly LinFullerton When I was 18, spending the summer in Corona del Mar with friends from USC, my goal was simple: to be the darkest person on the beach. I don't know if I succeeded, but I tried. After two-plus months of surfing and laying in the sun almost every day — without sunblock — I was extremely tan. Back then, in 1967, no one ever suggested I didn't belong here. But if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had been rounding up thousands of people a day like they are now, I easily could have been mistaken for an undocumented immigrant. That possibility never crossed my mind back then but it certainly would today. Imagine living legally in the U.S. for 30 years — working, paying taxes, and raising a family — only to be detained or arrested at a car wash or Home Depot because of how you look. It's no wonder thousands of day laborers have gone into hiding. The fear of being wrongfully deported without due process isn't just stressful — it's paralyzing. When Donald Trump ran for office, he promised to deport the 'worst of the worst.' I naively assumed he meant convicted drug lords, killers, and rapists — not mothers and fathers trying to support their families. Yet, this is exactly what's happening. Because arrest and deportation numbers are lagging behind White House expectations, aides have convinced the president that a sweeping crackdown is necessary — even if it pushes the bounds of constitutionality. The last line of the Pledge of Allegiance reads, 'with liberty and justice for all.' I wish more Americans understood that living in fear, as millions are doing now, is not liberty. And being rounded up in an ICE raid, as so many are today, is not justice. Denny FreidenrichLaguna Beach I agree with Councilmember Twining that 'There is a clear need to turn down the rhetoric and restore civility during Huntington Beach Council meetings.' What has led to this incivility is the frustration that the City Council has taken a MAGA ideological position on most issues. These include anti-LGBTQ, anti-DEI and human rights, book banning and elimination of citizen committees. Since the citizen comments at council meetings require no response from the council, there is no exchange of points of view, nor any way to hold the council members accountable. In the past, my husband and I have volunteered on citizen committees. They offer opportunity for two-way exchanges. Despite the fact that more than half of H.B.'s population are not MAGA devotees, the City Council has chosen to simply not listen to the 'other side.' Their disdain for opposing opinions is evident in their voting. 'My way or the highway' is the council meeting undercurrent. In other words, community members from the left and center know they are speaking to deaf ears. If Twining and other council members want civil interchanges, then they need to stop their autocratic decision-making and actions and do what is best for all Huntington Beach residents, not just their MAGA constituents. Judith A. Lewis Retired Los Angeles County sheriff's captainHuntington Beach I am so disgusted. The mayor of Huntington Beach, Pat Burns, was caught on hot mic calling a constituent 'Another f—ing cow' during Tuesday's City Council meeting. Instead of being grateful to a courageous young woman for sharing her thoughts during public comments, he chose to disparage her. Burns also called other council members who were not on the side of the conservative council majority 'pieces of s**t' last year. My personal experience speaking to the council has not been quite this dramatic. When I have spoken, which is often, the mayor yawns, chats with others or stares at the ceiling. He leans far back in his chair to make it clear that he isn't listening. My input is unwanted. Burns rigidly supports an extreme MAGA agenda. He clearly doesn't care about the people of Huntington Beach. I call for the resignation of Pat Burns in his failure to represent all of us, to treat all constituents with respect and to behave professionally as he represents our beleaguered city. Goodbye, Pat Burns. Nora PedersenHuntington Beach
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania lawmaker introduces bill to remove cost barriers to cancer prevention
(WHTM) — A Pennsylvania lawmaker introduced a bill that aims to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for prostate cancer screenings for men. House Bill 281, introduced by state Representative Jeanne McNeill (D-133), would require insurance coverage for prostate cancer screenings. The bill aims to reduce cost barriers and increase access for men at risk of developing prostate cancer. The bill would remove insurance limitations that many individuals face when attempting to receive essential screenings for prostate cancer. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now According to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for men in the U.S. The memo says insurers would be required to provide annual access to PSA blood tests and DREs for individuals at high risk of prostate cancer. 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.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cancer survivors, advocates push Ohio Senate for preventative screening access
Apr. 29—Springfield resident and prostate cancer survivor Tom Pamer was one of many to make his way to the Ohio Statehouse this week to advocate for legislation that he hopes will help save lives. Pamer and 100 other survivors took part in the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network's Ohio Advocacy Day and urged Ohio lawmakers to require all private insurers cover biomarker testing and prostate cancer screenings. The event comes as the Ohio Senate considers the changes it wants to make to the state's operating budget, a sprawling bill filled with new bills and appropriations to direct state spending over the next two years. Pamer's primary concern was with the bipartisan House Bill 33, which would require insurers to cover preventative prostate cancer screenings for men over 40 with a higher risk of prostate cancer. Pamer himself was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017 after taking a preliminary blood test that measured the level of prostate-specific antigens, or PSA, in his system. "That is one of our asks today, that everyone is able to have their PSA test covered whether under-insured or uninsured," Pamer said. "Hopefully, then, everyone would have the same results I did: finding it early, (undergoing) early treatment, and now (there's) no evidence of disease." Prostate cancer, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, is the most common cancer among American men. Advocates were also pushing House Bill 8, which would require private insurers to cover certain biomarker tests — which help identify cancer and the best forms of treatment — if prescribed by a doctor. That bill was passed last year before it stalled out in the Ohio Senate. It was reintroduced this year by state Rep. Andrea White, R-Kettering, who told this outlet Tuesday that she'd be "thrilled" if it wound up in the Senate's budget. ------ For more stories like this, sign up for our Ohio Politics newsletter. It's free, curated, and delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday evening. Avery Kreemer can be reached at 614-981-1422, on X, via email, or you can drop him a comment/tip with the survey below.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cancer survivors head to Albany to push for better care
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A group of cancer survivors and supporters from Western New York are traveling to Albany Tuesday to meet with state leaders and ask for better cancer care across New York. The trip is part of Cancer Action Day, when people from all over the state come together to share their stories and push for new laws that could help patients and families. 'We've seen that when people from Western New York speak up and tell their stories, things really start to change,' said Dylyn Harrison, a volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. 'It's easy to feel like nothing you say matters, but it does — and that's why we're here.' The group is asking lawmakers to support three main ideas: Make lung cancer screening easier to get and more affordable Update the state's paid family and medical leave rules (which haven't been changed in more than 30 years) Expand help for patients navigating the health care system Harrison says one big issue is how health insurance works for lung cancer tests. 'Lung cancer is one of the top killers, but only about 19% of people at high risk are getting screened,' she said. 'Sometimes insurance will cover the first test, but not any follow-ups, and that keeps people from getting the care they need. We want to fix that.' Rhonda Hands, a 30-year cancer survivor, says lawmakers need to hear directly from people who've lived through it. 'I thank God I've been cancer-free for 30 years,' she said. 'But testing should be easy and affordable for everyone. There shouldn't be anything standing in the way.' For these advocates, the trip to Albany isn't just about policy, it's personal. They're standing up for families and patients who need a stronger system. Gwyn Napier is a reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of her work by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
