Press Room

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the Department of Labor regarding proposed changes to rules governing association health plans (AHPs). The comments detail several ways the proposed rule could divide the individual insurance market and significantly weaken patient protections leaving cancer patients and survivors with few meaningful or affordable coverage choices.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and ACS CAN staff and volunteers will be urging lawmakers to support and pass the “Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act” (H.R. 1017 and S. 479) – a bill that would eliminate cost-sharing during a routine screening colonoscopy when a polyp is removed. 

The bipartisan bill would advance pediatric cancer research and increase transparency and expertise for pediatric cancer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Additionally, the legislation expands research into the long-term side effects of childhood cancer and its treatments

The Departments of Treasury, Labor and Health and Human Services issued a proposed rule allowing temporary short-term catastrophic health insurance plans to be sold for as long as 364 days, and with the potential to be extended indefinitely. Currently, such plans can be purchased for no more than 90 days

The administration released its FY19 budget today including a minimum $1 billion cut for medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), down from what the House and Senate committees have approved for FY 18 funding levels. 

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance allowing states to require “able-bodied” adults to work, participate in job training or volunteer in order to receive Medicaid health benefits. As part of the guidance, CMS exempts those who are deemed, “medically frail,” however the guidance does not clearly define who would be considered medically frail. 

Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data showing tobacco use by military veterans is nearly double the national average. The data, collected from 2010-2015 and published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, shows nearly 30 percent of veterans use some kind of tobacco.

As directed by the president’s executive order, the Department of Labor issued proposed rules governing the expansion of association health plans (AHP).

Today Congress approved a final tax bill that essentially repeals the nation’s health care law with no replacement.

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), eliminating the insurance requirement from current law would lead to 13 million more Americans being uninsured by 2027 and would increase premiums by 10 percent annually.

Today the U.S. Senate passed a tax bill that essentially repeals the nation’s health care law with no replacement plan.

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), eliminating the insurance requirement from current law would lead to 13 million more Americans being uninsured by 2027 and would increase premiums by 10 percent annually.