Cancer Survivor Who Beat Cancer Twice Demands Answers from Mike Lawler Over Health Care Cuts and Draconian New Medicaid Rule

BREWSTER, NEW YORK — After surviving two separate cancer diagnoses in four years, Brewster resident Alan is speaking out against Congressman Mike Lawler's support for the Republican Tax Law, warning that cuts to health coverage could put other families at risk, and the draconian new rule being considered by the Trump administration could push Medicaid recipients, including those with cancer, off their coverage.

Today, Alan’s cancer is in remission, thanks in part to timely treatment and reliable health insurance that ensured he could access specialists, screenings, and lifesaving care when he needed it most.

Now, he fears that same security may be out of reach for other New Yorkers.

Health care advocates warn that the Republican Tax Law could leave as many as 860,000 New Yorkers without health coverage. In New York's 17th Congressional District, more than 211,000 residents rely on Medicaid, and approximately 28,000 people could lose coverage as federal funding is cut.

For Alan, the consequences are deeply personal. His sister died of cancer at age 45 after years of battling the disease. Before her diagnosis, she lacked health insurance, delaying access to care at a critical moment.

"Nobody facing cancer should have to worry about whether they can afford treatment," said Alan. "I survived because I had access to good health care. Families deserve representatives who protect that access, not politicians who toss cancer patients off their Medicaid."

Alan's story comes as Congressman Lawler continues to defend the Republican Tax Law.

"Health care isn't a political talking point when you're sitting in a doctor's office waiting for test results," Alan said. "It's the difference between getting treatment and going without it. It's the difference between catching cancer early and catching it too late."

Empire State Voices is calling on Congressman Lawler to stop his dangerous Medicaid cuts and to protect cancer patients and sick people from losing their health care. 

For cancer patients and their families, the stakes could not be higher.

To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org

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About Empire State Voices 

Empire State Voices is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. We are fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same. To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org