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Federal Judge Rules Against Expansion of Inadequate Association Health Plans

Washington, D.C.—A federal judge has blocked a rule change that would have expanded the availability of Association Health Plans (AHP). These plans often leave beneficiaries underinsured because they are exempt from covering the essential health benefits required under the health care law, including prescription drug coverage, and can also cap coverage based on the number of hospital days or cost of services and cover less than 60 percent of a patient’s medical costs. Although this makes the plans less expensive and more attractive to ...

Medicaid Guidance Likely to Hurt Patients; Increase Number of Uninsured

... shift how they receive federal funding from a percentage match, wherein the program’s funding adjusts automatically to account for the number of enrollees and rising health care costs, to one where funding could be capped. These grants would apply specifically to the Medicaid expansion ... who gained coverage through expansion.    A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows:   “If allowed to take effect, today’s guidance would fundamentally alter the Medicaid program for those who’ve gained ... through the program’s expansion. Allowing states to change their funding formula from one that accounts for enrollment shifts and medical cost increases within this population to one that is comprised of a single lump sum grant has the potential to significantly undermine the ...

Repeal of Health Mandate Likely to Hurt Patients’ Access to Care

... 13 million more Americans being uninsured by 2027 and would increase premiums by 10 percent annually. The bill does, however preserve a portion of the orphan drug tax credit, which is used to encourage development of new treatments for relatively rare conditions, including many cancers. It ... for those who incur high medical costs. A statement from Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows: “Today’s repeal of the individual mandate without a replacement sets the stage toward transforming the individual insurance ... Senators Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Murray’s (D-Wash.) and Senators Collins (R-ME) and Nelson’s (D-Fla.) bipartisan bills that would restore cost-sharing subsidies, as well as provide additional funding to help compensate insurers for their costlier patients through reinsurance. These ...

35 Patient, Provider and Physician Groups File Amicus Brief Urging the U.S. Supreme Court to Protect Lifesaving Preventive Care Without Patient Cost Sharing  

Washington, D.C. –  Today 35 organizations, representing millions of patients with serious health conditions and thousands of health care professionals, filed an amicus curiae, or “friend-of-the-court,” ... petition for certiorari in the case, providing extensive scientific data demonstrating that preventive services save lives and are cost-effective. At the crux of the case is a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires most insurers cover preventive services ... in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality largely attributed to lower screening participation. Research has proven that any cost-sharing can be a deterrent to accessing proven prevention and early detection and recent survey data has shown that even motivated cancer survivors would ...

Cancer Patients and Survivors Cheer Final Passage of Inflation Reduction Act

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes several provisions that will reduce the costs of health care for millions of cancer patients and survivors. A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows: “The final passage of the Inflation Reduction Act marks one of the most significant extensions of affordable health coverage to ...

ACS CAN Expert Testifies About Proposed Health Care Changes in Graham-Cassidy Bill

... 25, 2017 — Changes to the nation’s healthcare system as proposed in the pending Graham-Cassidy health legislation could leave millions of cancer patients and survivors without access to adequate, affordable health insurance coverage, according to Dick Woodruff, senior vice president of federal advocacy for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Woodruff told committee members the bill essentially rolls back the patient protections ... of the monthly premium,” said Woodruff. “Products could be unaffordable for individuals who required—or were anticipated to require—high cost treatments.” States could also apply to change what services plans are required to cover, putting current guaranteed essential health ...

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

Washington, D.C., March 7, 2016—Today the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services regarding proposed changes to marketplace health insurance plans. The ... 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 impede a consumer’s ability to obtain health insurance coverage.” American Cancer Society ... burden nationwide. “ACS CAN supports a robust marketplace and welcomes efforts to strengthen the marketplace,” said Chris Hansen, president of ACS CAN. “However, those efforts should not jeopardize access to meaningful health insurance for cancer patients and survivors and those at ...

South Carolina Should Prioritize Health Care Access Instead of Barriers

COLUMBIA, S.C. – May 6, 2025 – The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services held a public hearing today regarding plans to submit a waiver request to establish Palmetto Pathways, a program that ... set strict eligibility requirements for Medicaid recipients who are parents. In response, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Regional Government Relations Director Beth Johnson released the following statement: “We know state officials want to do something about ...  Georgia has already tried this and less than 1% of eligible people enrolled in a similar program. “Essentially, Palmetto Pathways would cost the state more money to cover fewer people than traditional Medicaid expansion. It also leaves out single adults and those who earn under 67% ...

New Poll: Majority of Wyoming Voters Support Medicaid Expansion

CHEYENNE, Wyo.—A new poll released today by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), AARP, the American Heart Association and American Lung Association shows the majority of Wyoming voters support efforts to increase access to health care by expanding Medicaid. Wyoming is one of 12 states that has not expanded ... Wyoming to join them," said R.J. Ours, ACS CAN Wyoming government relations director. "These results show people’s very real concerns about cost of care and access to it for themselves and their families. They’re picturing loved ones who may be struggling to see doctors, pay for ...

House Committee Votes on Policies to Improve Health Care Affordability and Availability for Millions of Americans

... D.C.— The House Energy and Commerce Committee will vote today on legislation that would greatly improve the availability and affordability of health care for millions of Americans. The legislation—part of the broader budget reconciliation package before Congress—would create a ... Medicare enrollees, among other provisions. A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows: “We welcome the committee’s action on these critical policies to help millions of people access and afford comprehensive health ... reductions in their monthly premiums, including many whose premiums were reduced to zero. This is especially important when you consider the cost of cancer treatment and care and the financial burden patients often shoulder while also trying to manage their disease or its long-term ...

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