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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a proposed rule today to lessen the impact of medical debt on an individual’s credit. If finalized as is, the rule would remove all medical debt from credit reports and prohibit creditors ... worthiness or credit score. The following is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).  “Removing all medical debt from credit reports would be a significant step in reducing the impact the high cost of care, especially cancer care, has on an individual. A recent ACS CAN survey found nearly half of cancer patients and survivors surveyed ...

... by drug companies or other third parties. But insurers don’t always count those assistance programs toward a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, leaving patients with unaffordable costs once their assistance program is exhausted. The legislation, S5299 sponsored by Senator ... Rivera, will ensure financial assistance is counted toward the patient’s deductible. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Senior New York Government Relations Director Julie Hart said: “We thank the Senate, bill sponsor Gustavo Rivera and Senate Leader Andrea ... for passing this crucial measure. “A cancer diagnosis doesn’t just come with emotional turmoil. It also leaves patients with a long list of concerns, including whether they’ll be able to afford the treatment ahead. “Cancer patients shouldn’t have to choose between paying their ...

... D.C.— This Wednesday will mark 12 years since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law and cancer patients, survivors and millions of others gained expanded access to comprehensive health coverage. The law, which put in place critical protections for people with pre-existing ... nearly 34 million Americans have gained coverage since the law took effect. “Prior to the law’s passage, pre-existing conditions, regardless of how minor or how serious, often meant being blocked from accessing comprehensive, high quality health insurance when people needed it most,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “As we mark the 12-year anniversary, the meaningful gains in early detection and access to treatment have been made clear. What we need now ...

Undoubtedly, our community is facing unprecedented times as we navigate the current coronavirus pandemic. As we always will, ACS CAN continues to support and advocate on behalf of people living with serious illnesses, like cancer, to ensure they have access to the care they need to protect their and their families’ ... populations at heightened risk if infected with the novel coronavirus, by increasing federal support for Medicaid spending and extending no-cost testing to all patients, regardless of insurance type or status, among other vital steps; the bill passed out of the Senate and was signed ...