Access to Health Care

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Every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care. From cancer screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies to the latest breakthroughs in treatment, everyone should have access to the care that could prevent cancer and save their life.  In addition, ensuring that low-income working families have access to affordable health insurance is proven to reduce overall health care costs. 

We are working in every state and in Congress to expand health care options and protect existing laws that help patients get true access to the care they need. 

People without health insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a late stage, when the disease is harder to treat, more costly and more difficult to survive.

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Mississippi Lawmakers Stand in the Way of Protecting Patients

April 30, 2024
Mississippi

The following is a statement from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) in reaction to the conference report released late Monday night that creates barriers through work requirements for people who need health insurance. This will ultimately increase barriers to Medicaid health care coverage and will not close the coverage gap.

Mississippi Lawmakers Stand in the Way of Protecting Patients

April 30, 2024
Mississippi, National

The following is a statement from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) in reaction to the Mississippi conference report released late Monday night that creates barriers through work requirements for people who need health insurance.

ACS CAN Applauds FDA’s Rule on Laboratory Developed Test Regulation

April 29, 2024
National

Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a new rule regulating laboratory developed tests (LDTs) that will harmonize oversight for diagnostic tests regardless of whether tests are performed in individual laboratories or sold as prepackaged kits.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Calls on U.S. Senate Candidates in Maryland to Make Cancer a Priority

April 26, 2024
Maryland

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) called on U.S. Senate candidates in Maryland to clearly state their commitments to fighting cancer, and one of the candidates, Congressman David Trone, sat down with cancer survivors earlier today to discuss policies that alleviate the burden of cancer, a disease that continues to kill more than 1,600 Americans every day. The effort is part of ACS CAN’s national Cancer Votes program – the country’s leading voter education program for cancer-related issues and policies.

Access to Health Care Resources

Addressing Cancer Disparities in LGBTQ+ Communities

March 20, 2024

A critical factor for eliminating disparities and ensuring health equity is the guarantee that all people have access to quality, affordable health care.

Survivor Views: Preventive Care Coverage, Medical Debt, & Food Insecurity

February 14, 2024

Our latest survey finds that protecting no-cost screenings and preventive care and reducing the burden of medical debt are the most impotant priorities for cancer patients and survivors. This survey also explores the impacts of cancer on food and nutrition insecurity, with impacts felt across income groups and coverage levels.

Factors Influencing Cancer Disparities

January 11, 2024

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. No one should be disadvantaged in their fight against cancer because of income, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, or where they live. From preventive screening and early detection, through diagnosis and treatment, and into survivorship, there are several factors that influence cancer disparities among different populations across the cancer continuum.