Access to Health Care

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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National

Congress: Commit to voting NO on any cuts to Medicaid

We're still in this fight for cancer patients, and we need you in it, too. Send a message to your members of Congress right now urging them to commit to vote no on any cuts to Medicaid in any form.

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New York State Budget Fails to Address Paid Leave

May 8, 2025

New York

This week, New York state leaders released details on the state budget for FY 2025-26 and patient advocates are responding with disappointment over the failure to produce solutions to improve New Yorkers’ access to paid leave and, with it, their financial mobility. The same advocates visited Albany last month for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) annual Cancer Action Day to promote the importance of Senate Bill 172/Assembly Bill 84, the proposal to improve New Yorkers’ access to time off during treatment which now has 73 Assembly co-sponsors and passed the Senate in March.

Legislation Passes that will Shield Virginians from Unfair Medical Debt Collection Practices

May 7, 2025

Virginia

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.

Cancer Survivors Connect with New York State Lawmakers for ‘Cancer Action Day’

April 30, 2025

New York

Over 130 volunteer advocates from across New York, including cancer survivors, patients and caregivers, convened at the state Capitol today for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ an event hosted annually by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Advocates met with their state lawmakers and urged them to support policies that aid in the fight against cancer.

Courage in Action: Cancer Survivors Unite at State Capitol to Advocate for Change

April 29, 2025

Ohio

Cancer Advocates Gathered at the Statehouse Today to Say Ohio Can and Must Do Better to Reduce the Burden of Cancer

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