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New Health Disparities Chartbook Illustrates Inequities in Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Survivorship

WASHINGTON, DC - October 17, 2018 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released a publication today to illustrate health disparities across the cancer continuum and discuss public policy strategies to address those disparities. Cancer Disparities: A Chartbook ... ACS CAN is actively pursuing evidence-based public policies at the local, state and federal levels that aim to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for all U.S. population groups. It highlights some of the greatest gaps and challenges, which will further guide ACS CAN in its ... must include enhanced prevention and early detection, increased access to coverage and treatment across all populations; and delivery of care in a culturally and linguistically competent manner. Continued research – particularly on ways to collect disparities data, implement public ...

ACS CAN files legal brief in support of protections for people with serious health needs

... to file a legal brief or amicus curiae that describes the devastating impact patients would face if the district court rules the Affordable Care Act is not a valid law. Twenty states, led by the Attorney General of Texas, recently filed a lawsuit , Texas v United States of America. They ... Care Act must be struck down because it cannot stand now that Congress repealed the tax penalty that a person receives if they do not have health care coverage. ACS CAN and the other patient groups urged the court in their legal brief to uphold the Affordable Care Act and to “recognize Congress’s clear intent to improve access to lifesaving health care for millions of Americans.” The Department of Justice (DOJ) is typically responsible for defending the country’s laws, but, in this ...

U.S. Senate Passes Harmful Budget Bill that Will Cause Millions to Lose Health Insurance

... Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released the following statement: “Congress is making an unprecedented attack on access to health care for millions of Americans, including cancer patients and survivors. Devastating cuts to Medicaid and changes to Marketplace plans in the budget will terminate health coverage for nearly 12 million Americans and increase health care costs for everyone. We are disappointed in the Senate’s vote today which ...

Letter: Administration Action Should Not Undermine Access to Affordable, Comprehensive Health Coverage

WASHINGTON – Twenty organizations representing millions of patients and consumers across the country sent a letter to the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury urging the administration to address patient concerns before finalizing troubling rules that as currently drafted would undermine access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage. The groups note, “Your Departments have recently proposed a number of policy changes, the cumulative effect we believe will have ... 6.4 million Americans being uninsured in 2019. The groups also note that while reducing premiums is a shared goal, those with high-cost health care needs like cancer could actually end up paying more out of pocket to access recommended treatment and follow-up care. Furthermore, if bare ...

ACS CAN testifies before Congress about protecting affordable health insurance for cancer patients

“Enactment of the ACA [Affordable Care Act] has allowed Americans with cancer and other serious conditions access to the care they need,” said Keysha Brooks-Coley, the vice ... expected to be diagnosed with cancer, and over 15.5 million Americans are cancer survivors. For these Americans, access to affordable, quality health insurance can be a matter of life or death. Prior to the ACA, cancer patients and others living with serious illnesses or pre existing conditions could be denied health insurance coverage as cancer was considered a preexisting condition. However, since the ACA was passed, “Those with comprehensive ...

Cancer Advocates Celebrate Continued Access to Care for Hardworking Montanans

... would like to thank the 89 representatives and senators (59% of both houses) who supported a bi-partisan solution that will maintain access to health insurance coverage for 96,000 hardworking low-income Montanans. “We are especially proud of Reps. Ed Buttrey, Mary Caferro and Gov. Steve Bullock for their commitment to preserving access to care for countless low-income state residents. “Medicaid matters in the fight against cancer. Preserving access to care is one of the most ... that will reauthorize the Montana HELP Act and create a path for the state of Montana to continue providing life-changing and lifesaving health care coverage to low-income Montanans in 2019 and beyond. “However, we remain concerned about the potential impact that new administrative ...

Medicaid Waiver Damaging to Montanans’ Health, Erases Good Work of State Lawmakers

... (ACS CAN) registered strong objections to Montana’s Medicaid 1115 waiver request today in comments filed with the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services.  Approval of the waiver would make Montana an early adopter of new federal Medicaid provisions harmful to the health of many residents far before the timeline required by Congress. These changes, including work reporting requirements, would undermine the ... residents will face significant burdens to maintaining healthcare coverage, a number which includes many eligible individuals who will lose care due to red tape, including those in treatment for cancer and other chronic conditions despite so-called “exemptions” to work reporting ...

ACS CAN Submits Comments to CMS on Proposed Marketplace Health Insurance Changes

... Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services regarding proposed changes to marketplace health insurance plans. The submitted comments detail several ways the proposed ACA Market Stabilization rule could make it harder for cancer patients and survivors to access quality, affordable health insurance that meets their needs. The comment letter states, “we are concerned that some of the policies that are proposed will actually ... don’t always happen during open enrollment. SEPs allow cancer patients in these situations to enroll in new coverage and maintain ongoing care. As proposed, increased restrictions on SEP enrollment, including pre-enrollment documentation requirements without concurrent marketplace ...

ACS CAN Urges Gov. Snyder to Prioritize Cancer Care, Prevention

... of this successful program, we’re confident that Governor Snyder is committed to preserving access to quality, affordable and comprehensive health coverage for Michiganders. “We also are calling on the governor to prioritize tobacco prevention and help Michiganders quit smoking. Right ... altogether.  “ACS CAN looks forward to another year of working with members of the Legislature and Governor Snyder. By focusing on access to health care and tobacco prevention, we will continue to ensure that Michigan is not only a great place to live, but a healthy place to live.”   About ...

Cancer Patients Need Accurate Information When Shopping for Health Coverage in Medicare

... "The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is troubled by reports that the administration is not enforcing a requirement that health plans provide accurate information in Medicare provider directories. Cancer disproportionately impacts older Americans, most of whom access health insurance through Medicare. Access to accurate information is critical for families affected by cancer who are trying to guarantee their insurance coverage will meet their health care needs. Medicare beneficiaries could face significant out-of-pocket costs if they buy a plan only to find out that a necessary medical provider ...

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