The national voting rights organization will be joined by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to call for 10 states to expand Medicaid access for over two million Americans 

GEORGIA — Black Voters Matter (BVM) is relaunching its Sick and Tired campaign in partnership with American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) to spotlight the 10 states that have refused to expand Medicaid eligibility, affecting over two million Americans. States are largely concentrated in the South and include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. 

Research shows if individuals with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level were able to access Medicaid, uninsured rates for Black adults would decrease by 40% in, while uninsured rates for young people aged 19 to 24 would decrease by 30%. Despite these significant improvements, leaders have been resistant to expanding critical access, which has an outsized impact on groups historically cut off from equitable and affordable healthcare. 

“We are still in a state of emergency that disproportionately impacts Black, Southern, and rural communities,” said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund. “Our communities deserve life-saving maternal care. Our communities deserve quality mental health care. Our communities deserve to thrive without barriers to healthcare that deepen systemic racism and inequity. We are Sick and Tired of fighting this battle, but will not stop advocating for the healthy, fulfilling, and joyous lives we know we are owed.”

“ACS CAN is thrilled to deepen our partnership with Black Voters Matter to call attention to the importance of Medicaid expansion and the critical role it plays in addressing long-standing, life-threatening health disparities,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “Research continues to show one of the most significant factors in surviving a cancer diagnosis is access to comprehensive, affordable health coverage, and it’s long past time the 10 states that have yet to increase access to coverage through Medicaid see this reality and recognize their delay is costing people their lives.”

BVM and ACS CAN will be traveling across Southern states – Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida, for an “In Dues Season” health equity film sneak preview and discussion, as well as community-centered health and wellness fairs. They will mobilize activists, faith leaders, students and local communities to call on leaders for immediate action.

SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS:

April 19, 2024

Memphis, TN

  • 11:00 am – 1:30 pm CT: Documentary preview screening & health and wellness fair with community resources
    • Abyssinian Baptist Church — 3890 Millbranch Rd, Memphis, TN 38116

Tupelo, MS 

  • 5:00 – 7:00 pm CT: Documentary preview screening & health and wellness fair with community resources
    • North Mississippi AgriBusiness — 1995 Pine Grove Road, Shannon, MS 38868

April 20, 2024

Jackson, MS 

  • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm CT: Documentary preview screening & health and wellness fair with community resources, fellowship hall, food truck
    • T. Matthews MB Church —  3660 Fontaine Ave Jackson, MS 39213

April 21, 2024

Montgomery, AL

  • 10:30 am – 12:30 pm CT:  Documentary preview screening, health and wellness fair & Sunday Service fellowship meal and discussion
    • Stonetank Antioch Missionary Baptist Church — 6515 Old Selma Road, Montgomery, AL 36108

April 22, 2024

Atlanta, GA 

  • 5:00 pm ET: Documentary preview screening, panel discussion focused on women’s health disparities
    • St. Phillip AME Church — 240 Candler Road, Atlanta, GA 30017

April 23, 2024

Macon, GA

  • 4:00 – 6:00 pm ET: Local canvassing 
  • 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET: Documentary preview screening, panel discussion, mixer for minority & small business owners, wellness checks
  • Crate X Coworking Space — 551 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201

April 24, 2024

Albany, GA

  • 4:00 – 7:00 pm ET: Documentary preview screening, panel discussion, healthcare fair
    • C&H Event Center -– 2310 West Gordon Avenue,, Albany, GA 31707

April 25, 2024 

Tallahassee, FL

  • 1:00 – 4:00 pm ET: Local canvassing, documentary preview screening, health and wellness checks, party with purpose 
      • Neighborhood Medical Center — 872 West Orange Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32310 
  • 4:00 – 5:30 pm ET: Screening discussion led by FAMU medical students
    • Neighborhood Medical Center — 872 West Orange Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32310 

IN-PERSON RSVP LINK: For members of the media who plan to be on-site in either of the states and wish to attend in-person, please RSVP using this form. 

QUESTIONS: Please direct any other questions or media interview requests to blackvotersmatter@fenton.com or Stacy Jacobson at stacy.jacobson@cancer.org.