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Palliative Care Bill Unanimously Approved by House of Representatives

Washington, D.C. – October 28, 2019 – Today the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA). The bipartisan bill would increase federal research funding for palliative care, including pain and symptom management, and would establish palliative care education and training programs for doctors, nurses and other health professionals. It would also create a national public education and awareness campaign to educate patients and providers about the ... more robust pain and symptom management training programs, while also bolstering federal pain research efforts at the National Institutes of Health. “ACS CAN and the Patient Quality of Life Coalition (PQLC) have long advocated for this critical bill. We urge the Senate to move quickly ...

Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act Reintroduced

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) reintroduced the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA), which charges the federal government with expanding both the availability and scope of ... care, including pain and symptom management, and establish palliative care education and training programs for doctors, nurses and other health professionals. It would also create a national public education and awareness campaign to educate patients and providers about the ... the persistent barriers to palliative care that cancer patients continue to face. “By building a workforce of doctors, nurses and other health providers trained in palliative care, increasing federal investments in relevant research, and drawing public awareness to their ability to ...

Biden Cancer Moonshot Announces Expanded Coverage for Patient Navigation in Private Health Plans 

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Biden Cancer Moonsho t announced today the expansion of coverage for patient navigation services in plans from seven health insurance companies, as well as actions more than 40 comprehensive cancer centers and community oncology practices across the country are taking to help patients be reimbursed for these critical services.     “ Navigating a confusing and complex health care system after receiving a cancer diagnosis is difficult for anyone. We’re encouraged to hear coverage for patient navigation is expanding in ...

New Health Disparities Chartbook Illustrates Inequities in Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Survivorship

WASHINGTON, DC - October 17, 2018 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released a publication today to illustrate health disparities across the cancer continuum and discuss public policy strategies to address those disparities. Cancer Disparities: A Chartbook ... ACS CAN is actively pursuing evidence-based public policies at the local, state and federal levels that aim to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for all U.S. population groups. It highlights some of the greatest gaps and challenges, which will further guide ACS CAN in its ... must include enhanced prevention and early detection, increased access to coverage and treatment across all populations; and delivery of care in a culturally and linguistically competent manner. Continued research – particularly on ways to collect disparities data, implement public ...

ACS CAN files legal brief in support of protections for people with serious health needs

... to file a legal brief or amicus curiae that describes the devastating impact patients would face if the district court rules the Affordable Care Act is not a valid law. Twenty states, led by the Attorney General of Texas, recently filed a lawsuit , Texas v United States of America. They ... Care Act must be struck down because it cannot stand now that Congress repealed the tax penalty that a person receives if they do not have health care coverage. ACS CAN and the other patient groups urged the court in their legal brief to uphold the Affordable Care Act and to “recognize Congress’s clear intent to improve access to lifesaving health care for millions of Americans.” The Department of Justice (DOJ) is typically responsible for defending the country’s laws, but, in this ...

Patients From Across the Country Visit Capitol Hill to Stop Senate Health Bill

Washington, D.C.— Sixty patients and consumers from across the country, each with their own personal health care story, gathered on Capitol Hill today to urge their senators to preserve quality health care access and coverage for millions of Americans. The event was organized by more than a dozen different patient and public interest ...

Letter: Administration Action Should Not Undermine Access to Affordable, Comprehensive Health Coverage

WASHINGTON – Twenty organizations representing millions of patients and consumers across the country sent a letter to the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury urging the administration to address patient concerns before finalizing troubling rules that as currently drafted would undermine access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage. The groups note, “Your Departments have recently proposed a number of policy changes, the cumulative effect we believe will have ... 6.4 million Americans being uninsured in 2019. The groups also note that while reducing premiums is a shared goal, those with high-cost health care needs like cancer could actually end up paying more out of pocket to access recommended treatment and follow-up care. Furthermore, if bare ...

ACS CAN testifies before Congress about protecting affordable health insurance for cancer patients

“Enactment of the ACA [Affordable Care Act] has allowed Americans with cancer and other serious conditions access to the care they need,” said Keysha Brooks-Coley, the vice ... expected to be diagnosed with cancer, and over 15.5 million Americans are cancer survivors. For these Americans, access to affordable, quality health insurance can be a matter of life or death. Prior to the ACA, cancer patients and others living with serious illnesses or pre existing conditions could be denied health insurance coverage as cancer was considered a preexisting condition. However, since the ACA was passed, “Those with comprehensive ...

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 ...

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 ...

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