Press Room

Last week, Governor Glenn Youngkin approved legislation to reduce the burden of medical debt on Virginians.  The proposal, which was championed by Delegate Karrie Delaney in the Legislature (House Bill 1725), will limit the burden of medical debt by ensuring that interest rates on medical debt are limited to 3% a year, wage garnishment is prohibited for all patients who quality for financial assistance programs and patients’ core financial assets, like their home, are safeguarded. 

Earlier this month, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 1828, advancing the bipartisan proposal around breast cancer screening access to Governor Youngkin’s desk.

Last week, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 1725 with bipartisan support, advancing the effort to reform medical debt collection practices in the Commonwealth. The bill will now go to Governor Youngkin’s desk, providing him the opportunity to limit the burden of medical debt on Virginian families.

Earlier this week, House Bill 1725 was voted out of the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee. This legislation, which will protect patients from the cascading impacts of medical debt, now advances to the Senate floor for consideration. Cancer survivor Tiffany Freeman joins her fellow volunteers with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in urging members of the Senate to follow the lead of their House colleagues and vote in support of the bill.

A new report by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) found that over 70% of commercially-insured patients encountered out-of-pocket expenses for follow-up breast cancer diagnostic tests in 2023. These follow-up tests, such as a diagnostic mammogram, MRI, ultrasound or biopsy, are medically recommended next steps to determine if an individual may or may not have cancer; however, barriers like cost can keep people from getting them.

Leading patient organizations, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), applaud Virginia lawmakers for passing legislation to protect patients from the harmful effects of medical debt.

Last week, Governor Youngkin signed critical legislation improving Virginians’ access to colorectal cancer screening.

ARLINGTON, V.A. – February 26, 2024 – Arlington native and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteer Olivia Bartrum recently trekked to Capitol Hill to share about her experience with pediatric cancer.

RICHMOND, VA – JANUARY 24, 2024 – Today, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers rallied at the Virginia State Capitol as a part of their annual Cancer Action Day, urging lawmakers to support Senate Bill 376/House Bill 946, which seeks to improve Virgin

RICHMOND, VA– November 30, 2022 – A statement from Brian Donohue, Director of Government Relations at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in Virginia, follows on the death of Congressional Representative to Virginia’s 4^th District, Donald McEachin, from his battle with co