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How enhanced tax credits make cancer care affordable for patients like Ali

For over 20 years, Ali spent much of her time caring for others as a nurse and a single mother of two. When Ali started feeling ill in 2021, she knew her symptoms were indicative of ... cancer care, Ali signed up for health insurance through the Marketplace. Because of the enhanced premium tax credits that help lower the cost of Marketplace plans for individuals with low- or limited-incomes, Ali's plan was $32/month. Despite this low cost, Ali still struggled to afford necessities like groceries.  “I either have to pay my premium, or I go without food,” Ali says. “I’m dying. And now I can’t afford food because the only thing I can afford to pay for is my insurance.”  The enhanced premium tax credits are currently set to ...

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 ...

1-08-10 This Week in Health Care Reform

As you know (and as many of you no doubt watched on C-SPAN despite the early hour), cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones came one step closer to a remedy for our ... by refocusing the system to emphasize prevention; guaranteeing quality, affordable coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions; reducing the cost burden on families; eliminating lifetime coverage limits; covering routine health costs for those who enroll in clinical trials; and emphasizing patients’ quality of life. Earlier in December, ACS CAN raised concerns about the negative impact of annual benefit limits on many cancer patients, and those concerns were heard by the Senate and the ...

Rep. Manchester Files Legislation Aimed at Improving Access to Care for Ohioans

Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Government Relations Director Leo Almeida COLUMBUS, OHIO – “Yesterday, Rep. Susan Manchester reintroduced legislation that passed the ... during the last session. This legislation would address co-pay accumulator adjustment programs and ensure Ohioans receive the total value of prescription drug assistance to afford their treatments, improving access to care for Ohioans.  “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. ...

Pennsylvania Decision to Improve Access to Health Care Will Save Lives and Money

Pennsylvania Decision to Improve Access to Health Care Will Save Lives and Money   More Than Half a Million Pennsylvanians Will Have Security of Access to Lifesaving Cancer Screenings and Treatment   Harrisburg, PA – August 28, 2014 – Governor Tom Corbett today chose to improve access to health coverage through private health care options for thousands of hard-working, low-income state residents. Diane Phillips, Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Pennsylvania, released the following statement about the vote: “As an organization committed to improving people’s lives by reducing ...

Cancer Survivors to New Jersey Lawmakers: ‘Put Patients First,’ Protect against Threats to Patient Access to Lifesaving Medication

... more expensive and access unpredictable. With its passage in committee, advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are hopeful that the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee see the bill’s momentum as a call to action to take the final steps to pass ... a patient who receives copay assistance to fill a prescription for a lifesaving medication may incur hefty, unexpected medical bills—a result of insurers not applying copayments to a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. Insurance carriers in New Jersey implement this tactic, known as “copay accumulator adjustment programs,” which, in effect, ...

Patient Advocates Applaud Governor’s Proposals Alleviating Pennsylvanians’ Medical Debt & Improving Access to Cancer Prevention Services

HARRISBURG, PA – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) joins patient advocates and public health organizations across the state in applauding Governor Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 Executive Budget, ... and cessation programs. Medical debt impacts many people with cancer, their caregivers and their families. In a  2022 national survey  of cancer patients and survivors on their experiences with and concerns around medical debt associated with the cost of cancer, 73% reported concern over their ability to pay current or future costs of their care, and 70% noted their worry about incurring ...

Oral Chemo and Appropriations are Legislative Priorities to Fight Cancer

LANSING, MI –As lawmakers dive into the 2022 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges legislators to prioritize improving access to cancer care and tobacco control funding, both of which will ease the burden of cancer in Michigan.  “For nearly ten years, ACS CAN has been advocating for the passage of oral chemotherapy ... continue to do so this year,” said Andrew Schepers, ACS CAN government relations director. “This legislation would ensure the out-of-pocket cost to the patient for oral chemotherapy and intravenous chemotherapy are similar. Currently, the out-of-pocket costs for some oral chemotherapy ...

Health Care Affordability in Sharp Focus for Advocates & Cancer Survivors in 2026

At the start of Pennsylvania’s 2026 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is calling on lawmakers to seize opportunities to ease the burden of cancer. Advocates are urging state leaders to prioritize affordability and ensure that cost is not a barrier to Pennsylvanians’ ability to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer. The following statement from Donna Greco, ...

Affordable Care Act Update 6-5-14

... Nominee Confirmed   The Senate is scheduled to hold a floor vote on Thursday to confirm Sylvia Mathews Burwell’s nomination as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.  The Senate Finance Committee approved Burwell’s nomination last week with strong bipartisan ... – are listed, display all formularies in a standard template to make coverage easier to compare between plans, and provide an out-of-pocket cost range for each drug to better inform consumers what they would be required to pay for the drug each month. The bill would also direct Covered ... for plans that cover a specific medication. Additional details on the need for this legislation are outlined in an op-ed  authored by ACS CAN California Legislative Director Alison Ramey. The bill now moves on to the California State Assembly for consideration.   Media Advocacy   ...

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