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Governor Newsom’s Veto of Legislation to Expand Access to Biomarker Testing Fails Cancer Patients

... , Calif. –  Last night, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that would have ensured comprehensive biomarker testing is covered by more health insurance plans, including Medi-Cal, when supported by medical and scientific evidence. Senate Bill 912 – which was introduced by Senator ... throughout the legislative process because our lawmakers recognized that increasing access to biomarker testing is a crucial step to help reduce health disparities. The percentage of clinical trials that involve biomarkers has grown significantly; over one-third of the oncology drugs ... ACS CAN volunteers remain committed to continue working with our elected leaders to ensure all cancer patients can benefit from better care by removing barriers to biomarker testing and precision medicine.” 0 Cancer advocates lament the governor’s decision to veto a bill that ...

Survey Finds Majority of Cancer Patients and Survivors Have or Expect to Incur Medical Debt

... massive impact of medical debt by both preventing it altogether and helping families who are already facing medical debt.” The financial and health implications of medical debt for cancer patients and survivors are severe. According to the survey, an individual with cancer-related ... debt was three times more likely to be behind on recommended cancer screenings in comparison to those who have been able to pay for their care without accumulating debt. Nearly half (49%) saw their credit score decrease with 30% having difficulty qualifying for loans. Cancer-related ... report being contacted by collections agencies (66%) and to feel harassed by them (44%). “The far-reaching impacts of medical debt on people's health and well-being are especially worrisome,” added Lacasse. “As we continue to see state lawmakers across the nation step up to address the ...

Legislative Action Needed to Reduce the Burden of Cancer on Buckeyes

... testing, a game changer in the fight against cancer and an essential step in accessing precision medicine treatments by ensuring state regulated health insurance, including Medicaid, covers appropriate biomarker testing for patients who could benefit. Dubbed ‘the right treatment at the right time,’ precision medicine has played a critical role in improving cancer outcomes. Despite its benefits, health insurance coverage of biomarker testing has not kept pace with innovations in treatment.  “Furthermore, copay accumulator legislation ... affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as we ...

25 Patient and Provider Groups Applaud Supreme Court Ruling though Express Concern about Other Plaintiffs Keeping FDA Authority Challenge Alive

Our 25 organizations, representing patients with serious health conditions and disabilities and their providers, applaud the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling reversing the Fifth Circuit’s decision in ... science- and evidence-based approval of tens of thousands of lifesaving and life-changing medications and devices for people with serious health conditions. FDA experts are best equipped to determine the safety and efficacy of medications and their conditions of use, and it is ...   The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The ALS Association American Cancer Society American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy American Society of Clinical Oncology American Society of Hematology The Arc Arthritis Foundation Association for Clinical Oncology ...

ACS CAN Letter: Proposed Changes to Medicare Drug Coverage Could Delay Cancer Patients’ Access to Treatment

 Washington, D.C.—Today the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the Department Health and Human Services (HHS) detailing ways in which proposed changes to Medicare Part D’s six protected classes could jeopardize cancer ... – including step therapy and prior authorization – to limit access to protected class drug therapies. The comment letter details how cancer care often requires specialized treatment targeted at a patient’s specific tumor and that such treatments are rarely interchangeable. In ... “can lead to patients not filling their prescriptions or underutilizing medications. Prescription drug noncompliance can lead to poorer health outcomes for the beneficiary as well as increased costs to the Medicare program.” Additionally, the letter raises alarm about patient ...

Television and Digital Ad Campaign Calls on HHS Secretary Azar to Stop Proposed Changes to ‘Six Protected Classes’

... The ads will run on television and social media and feature actual cancer survivors and Medicare beneficiaries urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to protect cancer patients’ lives by halting the proposed changes. The campaign premiered ... and medically appropriate therapies,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “If finalized, these proposed changes could undermine health provider recommendations and create significant and potentially life-threatening delays in access to cutting-edge therapies that play a crucial role in cancer care.” The six protected classes policy was established more than a decade ago to ensure Medicare beneficiaries were able to have access to ...

ACS CAN Planning to Work Closely with Presumptive City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams

... advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and made workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smoke-free. As we mark our 20th anniversary, we’re more determined than ever to ...

One in Five People With Cancer Participate in Medical Research Studies

... in cancer research. This expanded analysis includes more than 70% of people diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. each year who received care at a variety of clinical settings, from community hospitals and academic medical centers to National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive ... to patients, we need an inclusive, accurate assessment of current participation to inform these policies,” said Joseph Unger, PhD, MS, a health services researcher and biostatistician at Fred Hutch and lead author of the study. “While we knew that patients play a significant role ... studies were derived solely from government-sponsored trials, the study authors used patient data from a diverse range of trial sponsors and care settings for this analysis. Importantly, the data included settings such as community hospitals, where a majority of U.S. cancer patients ...

Regional Eligibility Screening Nearly Doubles Cancer Clinical Trial Opportunities, May Increase Enrollment, New Papers Show

... creation of automated screening tools and processes that would be integrated into provider workflows, directly interfacing with site electronic health records, that would search for trial eligibility in a regional manner. “We’ve laid the foundation for a new way of thinking about ... Referral, and Operations: Findings from a Survey , sought to gain insight into cancer clinical trial enrollment practices through a survey of health care providers such as physicians and nurses. The survey looked at both opening and recruiting for onsite trials and referring to offsite trials. ...

Patients in Missouri Urge Passage of New Bill to Ensure All Copays Count

... today thanked Representative Wright and Senators Bernskoetter, Fitzwater, and Eslinger for introducing legislation that would require more health insurance plans to count all prescription drug copayments made by or on behalf of Missourians. The important health policy reform would prevent an increasingly common practice used by insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers called “copay ... affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as we ...

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