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Cancer Advocates Applaud 2nd Circuit for Protecting Patients from Surprise Billing
WASHINGTON, D.C.— January 24, 2023 — Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a decision in the case of Haller v. Health and Human Services (HHS) upholding the U.S. District Court’s ruling preserving the provisions of the No Surprises Act ... court for reconsideration of the issue of payments between providers and insurers. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) filed an amicus curiae, or friend-of-the-court, brief in the case in August, urging the circuit court to uphold the law and keep the ...
Promoting Progress: Eliminating Barriers to Clinical Trial Enrollment
Clinical trials are an essential part of advancing new cancer treatments and reducing suffering and death from the disease. However, a significant percentage of cancer clinical trials never get off the ground because not enough patients enroll. We at ACS CAN are eager to better understand the barriers to clinical trial enrollment. So our policy experts spent the last year delving deep into patient ... decline to participate, most said they were afraid of side effects, losing control of their treatment or that they would encounter logistical or cost issues with enrolling. Clearly the cancer community needs to do more to expand the reach of available trials and make sure trials are designed ...
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 ...
Surgeon General Report Highlights Youth Smoking Problem in U.S.
A new report released by the U.S. Surgeon General has provided further evidence of the need for stronger tobacco control efforts in the country. Amidst state legislature's cuts in funding for tobacco control programs and their refusal to pass laws to help stem this epidemic of youth smoking, many of the gains that were made during the past decade are being lost. According to the report: After years of steady progress, ... said John R. Seffrin, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Tobacco kills more than 443,000 Americans each year, causes nearly 90 percent of lung cancer deaths, and is responsible for nearly one-third ...
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 ...
House Subcommittee to Vote on Bills to Halt Damaging Insurance Rule Changes; Preserve Pre-Existing Condition Protections
Washington, D.C. - Today the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health is considering a series of bills that would stabilize and strengthen the health insurance market and decrease the number of uninsured by improving the ability of people with pre-existing conditions to obtain and afford comprehensive health coverage. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) continues to work to ensure patients with serious illnesses like cancer have access to affordable, meaningful coverage. Specifically, the ... and preserve access to meaningful health coverage for patients, the subcommittee is examining proposals to improve patient access to lower cost drug therapies through a number of bills including the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act of 2019. The ...
Survey: Cancer Patients and Survivors Continue to Face Pandemic-Related Health Care Delays 1 Year Later
Washington, D.C.— Cancer patients and survivors continue to deal with the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic on their ability to access necessary health care. According to a new Survivor Views survey from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), 1 in 3 (35%) cancer patients and survivors report that the pandemic has affected their ability to access care. Even during the last few ... statement (81%). The survey also asked respondents what they would consider the top priorities for improving health care. Respondents ranked the cost of health care as the most important challenge facing cancer patients and survivors (36%). It ranked as the top issue across numerous ...
Michigan Latest State to Follow National Smoke-Free Trend
... law, which was signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm Dec. 18, will apply to all bars, restaurants and work places, except for the gaming floors of existing casinos, cigar bars and tobacco specialty stores. Although smoking will be allowed on casino gaming floors, it will be banned in the ... health victory and will save countless lives in Michigan," said John R. Seffrin, PhD, CEO, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). "Increasingly, states are realizing the many benefits of comprehensive smoke-free laws that cover all workplaces workers can make a living without risking their health, patrons and tourists can ...
Report Details Common Patient Barriers to Cancer Clinical Trial Enrollment
Washington, D.C.—The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) today released a report examining the most common patient barriers to cancer clinical trial enrollment. Made public at ACS CAN’s annual ... in four (27%) patients has access to clinical trials where they are being treated. Yet, if asked to enroll in an available trial, more than half of eligible patients typically agree to do so. Of the patients who actively decline participation, the main factors cited include, fear of side effects, loss of control in their treatment, logistical issues for participation and cost concerns. “Clinical trials are an essential step toward advancing promising new cancer treatments and while most patients are willing to ...
Black Men and Prostate Cancer
... cancer. Prostate cancer rates for Black men are 70% higher than the rates for White men. What does the PSA Screening for HIM Act do? Screening can help find prostate cancer at an early stage often before any signs or symptoms are present and before the disease becomes more advanced and more difficult treat. However, out of pocket costs can be a barrier to accessing screening. The five-year survival rate for men diagnosed in early, local or regional stages is around ... for HIM) Act would require health insurance providers to cover prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests for the highest risk patients at no cost. Throughout this document men refers to individuals assigned male at birth and/or persons with a prostate. Wolf, A. M., Wender, R. C., ...