Cancer survivors, family members encourage lawmakers to expand KanCare

Dozens of cancer survivors, caregivers and their families from across the state gathered in Topeka Tuesday to encourage expanding Medicaid.

They took part in the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network's Annual Day at the Capitol. The group met up at the Historic Topeka Fire Station on Southwest Van Buren then headed to the Statehouse to talk healthcare with their lawmakers.

Most of the volunteers have first-hand experience living with cancer.

"Everyone's been touched by cancer. Everyone knows someone who's been touched by cancer, so really bringing these issues into real life context and explaining Kancare expansion would matter for me because if I didn't have health insurance I may not have survived my diagnosis," said Jordan Feuerborn, the Governor Relations Director. "That's really what we're talking about."

In addition to KanCare expansion, the group also supports raising the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21. Some cities and counties have done so but the state law is still 18.