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Illinois Elected Officials Increase Access to Care for Cancer Patients

SPRINGFIELD, IL – “This week, the Illinois Senate passed legislation that will improve access to care for cancer patients by making out-of-pocket costs more predictable and expand coverage for biomarker testing.  HB1745 will make prescription drug expenses more predictable by requiring health insurance carriers to offer more health plans with flat dollar copayments. A patient will no longer have to worry about going to their local pharmacy and being shocked by their ...

Medicaid Waiver Damaging to Montanans’ Health, Erases Good Work of State Lawmakers

... (ACS CAN) registered strong objections to Montana’s Medicaid 1115 waiver request today in comments filed with the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services.  Approval of the waiver would make Montana an early adopter of new federal Medicaid provisions harmful to the health of many residents far before the timeline required by Congress. These changes, including work reporting requirements, would undermine the ... residents will face significant burdens to maintaining healthcare coverage, a number which includes many eligible individuals who will lose care due to red tape, including those in treatment for cancer and other chronic conditions despite so-called “exemptions” to work reporting ...

ACS CAN Submits Comments to CMS on Proposed Marketplace Health Insurance Changes

... Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services regarding proposed changes to marketplace health insurance plans. The submitted comments detail several ways the proposed ACA Market Stabilization rule could make it harder for cancer patients and survivors to access quality, affordable health insurance that meets their needs. The comment letter states, “we are concerned that some of the policies that are proposed will actually ... don’t always happen during open enrollment. SEPs allow cancer patients in these situations to enroll in new coverage and maintain ongoing care. As proposed, increased restrictions on SEP enrollment, including pre-enrollment documentation requirements without concurrent marketplace ...

Public Health Groups Urge Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to Prevent Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Patients

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 8, 2024 — Public health groups are urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to preserve protections in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) patients receiving health care services when it hears oral arguments today in the case of  Neese v. Becerra . The case is being appealed after a lower court ruled ...

Governor Hutchinson Applauded for Signing Crucial Public Health Measure Into Law

... of color, are also being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at increasingly younger ages due to varying risk factors and limited access to health care which can result in a decrease in screening rates. “This law removes a major financial barrier keeping thousands of Arkansans from receiving ... 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 ...

HHS Requires Insurers to Give Consumers More Information About Limited Benefit Health Plans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 9, 2010 – The Department of Health and Human Services issued new guidance that will give consumers more information about their health insurance plans.  Under the new rules, providers who offer limited benefit or “mini med” plans must inform consumers in user-friendly ... policy is inadequate until they are diagnosed with a life-threatening disease such as cancer and suddenly face major hurdles to getting the care they need. People with mini-med policies deserve full and straightforward disclosure about what their plan covers and, more importantly, what ...

Consumer and Public Health Groups Express Concern About Out-of-Pocket Limits

WASHINGTON, D.C. April 8, 2013 The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) today joined consumer and public health groups representing millions of Americans in urging the administration to revisit guidance issued earlier this year that could subject patients to far higher out-of-pocket spending than was intended in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).ξ For the first time, the ACA sets a limit on out-of-pocket costs for patients at $6,250 annually. However, an FAQ issued by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury on Feb. 20 permits health plans with two or more administrators to maintain separate and ...

Patient Advocates: Supreme Court Decision Ensures Continued Access to Critical Care

... ensures that more than 6 million low- and middle-income people nationwide will continue to receive the financial assistance they need to afford health coverage,” said Chris Hansen, president of ACS CAN, the American Cancer Society’s advocacy affiliate. “It means that millions of people with serious health conditions such as cancer will continue to have access to essential treatment and care, and millions of others at risk for disease will be able to afford preventive screenings and tests that could save their lives.” “Congress ...

Proposed Short-Term Health Plan Rule Would Strengthen Patient Protections

WASHINGTON, D.C.— July 7, 2023 — Today the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor and the Treasury Department jointly released a proposed rule that would return the sale of new ... rule would also require STLD issuers to comply with new notice requirements to help consumers distinguish between an STLD plan and comprehensive health coverage.  STLD plans – which often have very limited coverage benefits and do not have to follow ACA rules – were initially intended ... people often mistake for a better deal. Comprehensive, adequate coverage is key to curbing an individual’s medical debt by covering necessary care and further, ensure proper protection – from penalties or discrimination for pre-existing conditions.   “Moreover, the deceptive and ...

Cancer Patients Need Accurate Information When Shopping for Health Coverage in Medicare

... "The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is troubled by reports that the administration is not enforcing a requirement that health plans provide accurate information in Medicare provider directories. Cancer disproportionately impacts older Americans, most of whom access health insurance through Medicare. Access to accurate information is critical for families affected by cancer who are trying to guarantee their insurance coverage will meet their health care needs. Medicare beneficiaries could face significant out-of-pocket costs if they buy a plan only to find out that a necessary medical provider ...

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