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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 ...

Lawmakers Consider Funding Deal; Includes $2.6 Billion Boost for Medical Research

... is poised to pass a funding bill this week that includes a $2.6 billion increase for medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The measure, agreed upon by both House and Senate conference committee members, also provides $296 million increase for the ... There is an additional $20 million for the Office on Smoking and Health (OSH).    The bill also includes a measure to raise the federal age of sale for tobacco to 21, extends Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico and U.S. territories, ensures funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers, ... to Equivalent Samples – CREATES Act.    A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows:   Research “We’re excited to see the $2.6 billion funding increase for medical research at NIH in this bill, including the $296 ...

Colorado Cancer Advocates Ask Rep. Gabe Evans to Protect Medicaid by Opposing Cuts

Today, Colorado advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) delivered over 200 postcards signed by constituents to Rep. Gabe Evans’ district office in Northglenn, urging him to protect Medicaid by opposing any cuts to the program. The postcards highlighted how looming cuts to Medicaid would harm millions of Coloradans, including working families, cancer patients and survivors, pregnant women, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans and children. ... are considering a bill that includes deep cuts to Medicaid. Such devastating cuts would put essential health services at risk for millions of people nationwide and for the more than 1.2 million children and adults in Colorado who rely on Medicaid for lifesaving health care -- including ...

State Senate Passes Bill Aiming to Expand New Jerseyans’ Access to Colorectal Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Screenings

... counterpart in approving legislation that seeks to remove financial barriers to lifesaving colorectal cancer screening. With the passage of S-2305 by a vote of 37-0, the legislation heads to Governor Murphy’s desk for final approval. If signed by Governor Murphy, New Jersey will require health insurers to cover colorectal cancer screenings recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force and eliminate cost-sharing requirements for required follow-up colonoscopies following a positive stool-based test. “There should be no correlation between a ... cancer screenings,” said Jade Bechelli, New Jersey Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “ACS CAN applauds every New Jersey state legislator for their work advancing this lifesaving legislation, which, if signed into law by ...

Prior Authorization Reform Passes Both Chambers, Cancer Advocates Eagerly Await Governor’s Signature

... Senate Bill 2280 into law.  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. Prior authorization is a practice in which physicians must obtain approval from insurers before prescribing medication or moving forward with treatment for their patients.  Physicians report the process can lead to significant delays in care, contributing to negative outcomes in patients, including abandoned treatment. The process was once used ... a system requiring providers get approval to prescribe even the most routine medications and procedures.  According to a National Conference of State Legislatures database, 23 states enacted more than 43 bills related to prior authorization in the past few years, including 18 in 2024 ...

Legislative Inaction Leaves Kansans Without Access to Needed Care

... – The Kansas legislature left Topeka Wednesday without adequately addressing several critical issues affecting access to health care for tens of thousands of Kansans, particularly those in need of cancer screening and treatment. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges legislators to recognize that saving lives shouldn't be suspended. Whether it is freezing changes to Medicaid and with it access to ...

Cancer Patients and Survivors Return to the Capitol to Rally Legislators

COLUMBUS, OHIO – After two years of virtual Cancer Action Days due to the pandemic, cancer patients, survivors and caregivers from across the state traveled to the Capitol in Columbus yesterday to meet in person with their elected officials. They let their lawmakers know that they can and must do better to prevent and treat cancer. Advocates asked lawmakers to provide better access to care by passing co-pay accumulator legislation (HB 135). Co-pay assistance does not count toward the patients’ out-of-pocket costs in a co-pay accumulator program. Passing legislation will require that all payments made by patients, directly or on their behalf, ...

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