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Over 100 Patient Groups Join to Raise Alarm Over Proposed Insurance Rule

Washington, D.C.—April 23, 2018—More than 100 organizations representing millions of patients, providers and consumers joined together in letters and formal comments to Congressional leadership and federal agencies urging the withdrawal of a proposed rule on short-term, limited duration insurance plans (STLD). The groups warn that the proposed rule would likely divide the ... Public comments on the rule are due to the Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury and Labor today. The joint comment letter can be viewed here . The letter to the Secretaries of HHS, Treasury and Labor can be viewed here . The letter to Congressional Leaders can be ...

Oklahoma Becomes 37th State to Increase Access to Health Coverage Through Medicaid

OKLAHOMA CITY  —    Oklahomans  approval of Medicaid expansion will improve health outcomes and reduce cancer disparities  for  2 00,000 citizens  now  eligible for health   care coverage.    On Tuesday, a majority of voters responded "yes" to  Question 802, which asked if Medicaid should  be fully expand ed   to  low-income adults earning less than ... permitted under the federal health law .   The following is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) president.  “T his  victory  is an incredible development for public health in  Oklahoma , which currently has the second-highest ...

House Votes on Legislative Package to Improve Access to Affordable Health Care

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a legislative package containing provisions aimed at improving access to affordable health care, ... The package would also rescind the rule that extends the availability of short-term, limited duration insurance plans (STLD). These plans can deny or charge people more for coverage based on their health status, are exempt from covering essential health services, and can charge older ... misleading marketing tactics. The report’s findings mirror similar results from an ACS CAN report issued last year that showed STLD plans can cost cancer patients up to five times as much in out-of-pocket costs as a comprehensive plan. A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the ...

House Committee Focuses on Public Health with Increased Tobacco Tax, Greater Access to Affordable Health Care

... in states that have not expanded Medicaid, make permanent increased tax credits for marketplace coverage, and cap Medicare enrollees’ out-of-pocket drug costs. A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows: “This bill is a great step toward improving our nation’s public health and reducing our cancer burden. Increasing tobacco taxes ...

Proposed Short-Term Health Plan Rule Would Weaken Patient Protections and Split Insurance Market

Washington, D.C.— Today the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on proposed changes to rules governing short-term, limited duration ... plans are only available for up to 3 months, and are intended to fill brief gaps in coverage. The proposed rule would extend the availability of these plans up to 364 days and provide an option for indefinite renewal – allowing them to function like permanent health insurance without ...

Virginia Becomes 33rd State to Increase Access to Health Coverage through Medicaid

... state, in addition to Washington, D.C., to accept federal funding to provide health insurance coverage to adults earning less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level—just under $17,000 a year for a single adult. As part of the expansion, Virginia will require Medicaid recipients attend school, work, partake in job training or engage in some kind of community ... challenges to cancer patients and survivors. A statement from Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows: “By signing this budget into law Gov. Northam and the Virginia Legislature made clear their desire to expand access to health care ...

Administration’s Budget Risks Reversing Progress Against Cancer

... research essential to preventing, detecting and treating cancer.   The budget cuts funding for medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $3 billion, including a nearly $500 million cut for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and reduces cancer prevention programs ... Department of Health and Human Services.   A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows:    Access to Care “If implemented, the administration’s budget would leave millions more Americans unable to access ... relief for seniors by capping out-of-pocket prescription costs for those on Medicare Part D and allowing some low-income enrollees to be spared cost-sharing on generic drugs. These would be welcome changes and could help enrollees better afford their care.   Research “The proposed cuts ...

Survivor Views on Enhanced Premium Tax Credits

Overview: The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change, as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As part of this effort, ACS CAN deploys surveys to better understand cancer patient and survivor experiences and perspectives, through our Survivor Views ... not aware of the ACA premium tax credits and just 25% are aware they are currently set to expire by the end of 2025. Detailed Survey Findings: Cost is a Significant Burden for Cancer Patients and Survivors Seventy-five percent of cancer patients and survivors surveyed are concerned about ...

Senate health care bill could harm cancer patients and survivors

We knew the Senate health care bill was bad for cancer patients and survivors, but the latest version of the bill released is shockingly worse than earlier drafts. The bill, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, could be devastating to cancer patients ... raise premiums for some people with pre-existing conditions Under an amendment introduced by Senator Ted Cruz and included in the newest version of the bill, plans that don’t meet requirements in the Affordable Care Act would be sold, meaning some plans offered would not cover needed ... younger, healthier people in those insurance markets, the premiums for people with pre-existing conditions could be astonishingly high. ACS CAN joined other patient advocacy groups in sending a letter to senators expressing their deep concern for this amendment. Re-impose annual and ...

Palliative Care Bill a Win for South Dakota, Amendment F Looms as Possible Major Setback for Cancer Community

... allowed the state’s health care providers to better serve individuals with serious illnesses. Palliative care aims to provide better quality of life for cancer patients, those with other serious illnesses and their families by focusing on relieving the pain, stress and other symptoms ... definition to statute, allowing for improved access to and reimbursement for palliative care services as well as providing for the distribution of education materials on palliative care.  The bill was supported by the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, Avera Health, ... at diagnosis. SJR 501, passed with little in the way of discussion or specifics, will be placed on the November ballot as Amendment F. ACS CAN will be part of a broad coalition of health advocacy groups opposed as similar programs in other Medicaid Expansion states have accomplished ...

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