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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 ...

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   ...

2-16-12 Affordable Care Act Update

... both the president's 2013 fiscal year (FY 2013) budget, and the payroll tax extension legislation that Congress is debating this week. The goal of the Fund is to refocus the health care system on early detection and disease prevention through innovative and integrated methods at the ... and local levels.   The payroll tax extension bill compromise includes a major cut to the Fund, approximately $5 billion dollars to pay for the cost of the bill which includes a provision that would use the money to reimburse doctors who treat Medicare patients.  The bill is expected to pass the House and Senate later this week. ACS CAN sent letters to the conferees last month urging them to protect the Fund.   The President's FY 2013 Budget proposal would also redirect money ...

2-16-12 Affordable Care Act Update

... both the president's 2013 fiscal year (FY 2013) budget, and the payroll tax extension legislation that Congress is debating this week. The goal of the Fund is to refocus the health care system on early detection and disease prevention through innovative and integrated methods at the ... and local levels.   The payroll tax extension bill compromise includes a major cut to the Fund, approximately $5 billion dollars to pay for the cost of the bill which includes a provision that would use the money to reimburse doctors who treat Medicare patients.  The bill is expected to pass the House and Senate later this week. ACS CAN sent letters to the conferees last month urging them to protect the Fund.   The President's FY 2013 Budget proposal would also redirect money ...

Reconciliation Package Improves Health Care Affordability for Cancer Patients

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Congress reached a significant budget deal that includes key provisions that will improve affordability of health care coverage for many cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones. The reconciliation package includes language to help Medicare enrollees afford their outpatient prescription drugs by capping out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions for those with Part D plans and the option to spread expenses over the plan year, rather than requiring ... leaving more than 2 million Americans without a viable health insurance option. The following is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN: “Based on current legislative text, ACS CAN applauds Congress for prioritizing health and taking this important step to address ...

New Survey: Utilization Management Delays Cancer Care; Leads to More Stress and Contributes to Worse Outcomes

Washington, D.C.—March 28, 2019—A new nationwide survey of cancer patients, caregivers and doctors details the negative effects insurance utilization management policies in private insurance have had on ... Part D’s “six protected classes” prescription drug coverage policy go into effect. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released the survey Thursday, which showed 1 in 3 (34%) cancer patients and more than half (56%) of doctors reported having to wait for an ... prior authorization (96%), mandatory generic substitution (90%), quantity limits on prescription drugs dispensed (89%) and having to use a lower-cost drug first in what’s often known as “fail first” or “step therapy” (88%). Patients and caregivers reported that utilization ...

Presidential Address Underscores Necessity to Fix Broken Health Care System

... affected by cancer will be closely monitoring President Obama’s address to Congress tonight with the hope that it returns the focus of the health care debate to those who would benefit most -- patients. “Cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones know too well the gaps that exist in the broken ‘sick care’ system, which charges millions of people far more than they can afford for lifesaving care and often denies coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. “Half of people under 65 with a history of cancer ...

OPED-Health care reform that's good for Maine

... pay an extra $1,100 per year in premiums to support a broken system with 46 million uninsured. And soaring costs harm the competitiveness of American businesses in the global economy and eat up a larger chunk of our gross domestic product every year. We have the most expensive health care system in the world. Our country spends almost 50 percent more per ... Making matters worse, there is a severe shortage of health care providers in our state, and this number will continue to decrease unless we can develop a reimbursement system that will not drive our providers out of business and, ultimately, out of Maine altogether. In the end, we must ...

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