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Congressional Budget Cuts to Medicaid would Harm Cancer Patients and Their Families

... is scheduled to mark up its budget resolution this week, setting the stage for significant cuts in discretionary spending to offset the cost of the package. The House Budget Committee is also expected to mark up their own budget resolution soon. Lawmakers in both chambers have suggested ... that help save patients’ lives.   Ahead of the markup, Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released the following statement, urging Congress to resist cuts to the program that is so critical to the cancer fight:  “Any cuts to ...

California Assembly Committee Passes Legislation Requiring More Insurance Plans Cover Biomarker Testing Needed for Many Innovative Cancer Treatments

... Senate Bill 912 will enable more Californians to benefit from biomarker testing, a critical step in accessing precision medicine treatments that can lead to fewer side effects, improved survival, better quality of life and potentially lower costs for some cancer patients. But to determine if a patient will benefit from certain targeted therapies, doctors ... Ogden-Smith, California Legislative Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “It’s imperative we dismantle cost barriers in order to address and help reduce health disparities.” Communities that have been under-resourced, including communities of ...

New Survey: Utilization Management Delays Cancer Care; Leads to More Stress and Contributes to Worse Outcomes

Washington, D.C.—March 28, 2019—A new nationwide survey of cancer patients, caregivers and doctors details the negative effects insurance utilization management policies in private insurance have had on ... Part D’s “six protected classes” prescription drug coverage policy go into effect. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released the survey Thursday, which showed 1 in 3 (34%) cancer patients and more than half (56%) of doctors reported having to wait for an ... prior authorization (96%), mandatory generic substitution (90%), quantity limits on prescription drugs dispensed (89%) and having to use a lower-cost drug first in what’s often known as “fail first” or “step therapy” (88%). Patients and caregivers reported that utilization ...

Senate & House Leaders to Hear Legislation Aimed at Improving Access to Care

... (D - HD 45, Cumberland, Lincoln) and Senator Robert Britto (D – SD 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) (H8041 / S2720) that would restrict the use of co-pay accumulator adjustment programs and ensure Rhode Islanders receive the total value of prescription drug assistance to afford their ... spot of having to choose between their health and paying their bills. This legislation would help relieve some financial pressure so patients can focus on their recovery. I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to ensure Rhode Islanders get the help they need to afford their ... Relations Director Ryan Strik: “Many cancer patients and individuals living with chronic medical conditions have difficulty affording the cost of their prescription drugs. This is especially true for newer drugs – including cancer drugs – that do not yet have a generic equivalent. ...

Cancer Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Help Reduce the Cancer Burden on Minnesotans

Eagan, Minn. – As we dive into a new legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) prompts legislators to prioritize passing public policies that promote cancer prevention, improve patient quality of life, prevent youth commercial tobacco use and help adults quit tobacco, and expand equitable access to quality, affordable health care. ... ensuring more Minnesotans have access to individual, group, and telephone counseling and all FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications without cost-sharing or other barriers to accessing care. End the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products: The tobacco industry uses menthol, other candy- and ...

Cancer Advocates Urge California Governor to Sign Legislation Expanding Access to Biomarker Testing Needed for Many Innovative Treatments

... bipartisan support throughout the legislative process. Biomarker testing is a critical step in accessing precision medicine treatments that can lead to fewer side effects, improved survival, better quality of life and potentially lower costs for some cancer patients. Specific biomarkers, which can be measured in blood, tissue or other biospecimens, ... medicine for helping extend and improve his life. “We urge Governor Newsom to sign this critical piece of legislation that will help dismantle cost barriers and bring the promise of precision medicine to more patients, regardless of their income, race or zip code,” stated Cala. ...

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 ...

Senate Introduces Legislation to Increase Californians’ Access to Lifesaving Testing and Innovative Treatments

... Calif. — Today, State Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) introduced Senate Bill 912 to increase access to biomarker testing, which can help determine the best treatment plan for a specific patient.  The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the University of California (UC) have teamed up to sponsor this important next step in ensuring cancer patients have access to precision medicine. The UC system ... coverage of biomarker testing more broadly, I have introduced SB 912. The bill will reduce barriers patients face when accessing timely care and cost of treatment. SB 912 will improve access to care, precision medicine, and will reduce overall healthcare costs by avoiding unnecessary ...

Allowing Step Therapy in Medicare Part B Could Erect Barriers to Care for Cancer for Cancer Patients

WASHINGTON, D.C. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance last night giving Medicare Advantage plans the option of applying step therapy for physician-administered and other Part B drugs, effective January 1, 2019. A statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) President Chris Hansen follows: “ACS CAN shares the administration’s goal of lowering prescription drug costs for patients. However, the details of the policy change to allow for step therapy will be important to ...

Prior Authorization Reform Gets ‘Do Pass’ From Senate Committee

BISMARCK, N.D. –– For the more than 4,500 North Dakotans who will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025, medical prior authorization can delay treatment, increase stress, and have a negative impact on their care .  The Senate Industry and Business Committee of the North Dakota Legislature today  took a significant step toward alleviating that problem, giving a unanimous 5 – 0 “do pass” ... recommendation to Senate Bill 2280, which would establish standards and transparency to prior authorization processes, helping those in need of critical medical care to avoid prolonged delays in treatment. The bill primary sponsors is Sens. Scott Meyer (Grand Forks) with Jeff Barta ...

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