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Advocates Set Sights on Improving Access to Cancer Prevention & Detection, Reducing Burden of Disease for PA Patients in 2025
The following is a statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Pennsylvania Government Relations Director Donna Greco: “In 2024, ACS CAN was proud to see the Pennsylvania Legislature mobilize swiftly and in a bipartisan manner to bring the promise of precision medicine to more patients. Beginning in the new year, Act 39 of 2024 will make it so that all patients who can benefit and are insured ... programs are making it so that patients cannot access lifesaving care. ACS CAN is looking to address that in 2025 with legislation to eliminate cost-sharing for prostate cancer screenings for high-risk populations and ensure third-party prescription drug copay assistance always counts ...
Governor Shapiro Signs Game-Changing Legislation Aimed at Improving Health Outcomes, Quality of Life for Pennsylvanians
... plans, including Medicaid, to cover comprehensive biomarker testing, which will enable more Pennsylvanians to access biomarker testing that can open the door to precision medicine. Targeted treatment can lead to fewer side effects, improved survival, better quality of life and potentially lower costs for patients facing cancer and other serious illnesses. “With his signature, Governor Shapiro has ... the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Pennsylvania. “This game-changing bill is good for Pennsylvania—the health of our state and its residents. Ensuring that more Pennsylvanians will have access to proven biomarker testing will mean more patients battling ...
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 2023: What Can Pennsylvania Do to Address Rise in Colorectal Cancer Diagnoses?
HARRISBURG, PA – MARCH 28, 2023 – At the start of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Awareness Month, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released their report “Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2023-2025,” which found that colorectal cancer is rapidly shifting to more advanced disease and younger individuals, with incidence of advanced disease now in 3 in 5 people and 1 in 5 diagnoses in people younger than 55. In 2023, an estimated 6,610 Pennsylvanians will be diagnosed with CRC, and 2,280 are expected to lose their battle with the disease. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has developed a proposal that aims to improve access to precision medicine for patients with cancer and other diseases by expanding access to ...
Lawmakers Rally with Patient Advocates to Improve Access to Biomarker Testing, Highlight Personal Connections to Disease
HARRISBURG, PA – November 14, 2023 – Earlier today, the legislative sponsors of Senate Bill 954 and House Bill 1754 joined patient advocates, cancer survivors and medical leaders at the state Capitol and urged their ... testing. Biomarker testing has become a game-changing part of patient care given its role in opening the door to targeted treatments that can lead to improved survivorship and quality of life. Senate Bill 954 and House Bill 1754 represent a bipartisan proposal to ensure comprehensive ... of cancer or other serious illness.” The statement continues, “Sadly, access to testing has been limited by an all-too-common barrier: cost. By requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of biomarker testing, this bill would open doors to precision medicine that otherwise ...
Legislation Introduced to Increase Pennsylvanians’ Access to Biomarker Testing, the Key to Precision Medicine
... Mullins introduced House Bill 1754 to increase Pennsylvanians’ access to biomarker testing, following Sen. Devlin Robinson’s introduction of a companion bill, Senate Bill 954, in the Senate last week. A game-changing part of cancer care, biomarker testing opens the door to targeted therapy and personalized medicine which can improve patient survivorship and quality of life. This is a priority bill for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). ... do not cover the most appropriate biomarker testing. This results in some patients being forced to decide whether to pay out-of-pocket—a cost many cannot realistically afford--or go without the testing and hope the first treatment prescribed is the right one. Not all communities are ...
Expand Access to Biomarker Testing in Pennsylvania
Welcome! Biomarker testing helps connect patients with the right treatment at the right time. ACS CAN and partners are working together to make sure more Pennsylvanians can benefit from this important testing. What is Biomarker Testing? In cancer care, biomarkers are often used to help determine the best treatment for a patient . A “ biomarker ” is a sign of a normal biological process, disease or abnormal function that can be measured in blood, tissue or bodily fluid. Biomarker testing is the analysis of a patient’s tissue, blood or other biospecimen for the presence of a biomarker. Hear from Lisa about how biomarker testing put her on the path ...
Pennsylvania Cancer Action Day 2024
... together from across the state to advocate for life-saving policies. No prior experience is needed, we will provide training and resources ahead of time and book lawmaker meetings for you. All you need to bring is your passion in the fight against cancer. See you at the Capitol! Here is ... policies/the asks we will be making, guidance for your lawmaker meetings, and logistical information: Training Manual PDF The training deck can be found here: Training Deck PDF If you are in a House or Senate meeting with 3+ constituents, you will have a Meeting Captain to help ... wipe out $400 million in medical debt (budget ask) In a 2022 ACS CAN survey, 73% of cancer survivors said they are worried about affording the cost of their current or future cancer care. Medical debt may have a direct effect on cancer care: high costs can lead to delayed treatment. ...
PA House Insurance Committee Votes to Remove Barriers to Biomarker Testing
Today, the House Insurance Committee voted to improve Pennsylvanians’ access to biomarker testing, advancing House Bill 1754 out of committee unanimously. Championed by Representatives Kyle Mullins and Minority Leader Bryan Cutler, the proposal would ensure biomarker testing ... Senate. The following is a statement from Donna Greco, Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Pennsylvania: "Biomarker testing and precision medicine are helping extend and improve lives by tailoring care and treatment to a person’s individual condition. Over the past few months, we have heard countless stories of the difficulties and inconsistencies patients face in attempting to access this important testing. It’s time for that to change. "This ...
Advocates Hold Cancer Action Day at Capitol, Urging Lawmakers to Expand Access to Biomarker Testing & Paid Medical Leave, Address Medical Debt
Earlier today, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers rallied at the Pennsylvania State Capitol as a part of their annual Cancer Action Day advocating for several legislative proposals ... dealing with medical debt since she and her husband needed surgery last year. “When we began receiving bills, it was just overwhelming. The cost was astronomical - and the bills were very confusing and hard to interpret,” said McConnell. Representative Arvind Venkat is sponsoring HB ...