American Diabetes Association Release: Major Health and Consumer Groups to Spotlight Vital Importance of Medicaid to Protect the Health of Millions of Americans

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - September 12, 2011) - The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Diabetes Association, the American Lung Association, and Families USA will hold a news conference at the National Press Club on Wednesday, September 14, 2011, to spotlight a particularly vulnerable group of Americans whose essential health is threatened by potential Medicaid cuts.

The groups will outline their concerns about -- and objections to -- cuts to the Medicaid program, which could leave millions of Americans with such medical conditions as cancer, diabetes, chronic lung disease, heart disease, and stroke without access to their doctors, medications and treatments, or hospital care.

To illustrate the extent of impact to individuals and families, the groups are releasing state-specific reports on four of the nation’s largest states at the Wednesday event. These reports for California, Illinois, New York and Texas detail the number of children, adults, and seniors in each state who rely on Medicaid for treatment of cancer, diabetes, chronic lung disease, heart attack, and stroke.

An additional 18 state-specific reports will be released in September and October via teleconferences. Reports for the remaining 28 states and the District of Columbia will be released online at www.familiesusa.org. Release dates will be announced at the national press event on September 14.

Note: To assist 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: News Conference and Release of Medicaid-Related Reports for California, Illinois, New York and Texas

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

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.

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