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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., ...
Congress Approves Relief Bill with Expanded Access to Health Coverage; Sends to President for Signature
... patients and survivors, who may have lost their insurance due to the ongoing pandemic. The bill will increase the eligibility and generosity of subsidies to cover the costs of marketplace health plans, offer financial support to cover all of the premium costs for laid off workers who choose to keep their ... goes to the president to be signed into law. A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows: “We welcome the final passage of the coronavirus relief bill and its numerous provisions to expand access to affordable ...
Biden Administration Names Cancer Drug in Selected List for Medicare Price Negotiations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 29, 2023 – Today, the Biden Administration released the first list of 10 drugs for Medicare price negotiation, including Imbruvica, a cancer drug used to treat certain types of leukemia and lymphoma. The below is a statement on behalf of Lisa Lacasse, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) reacting to the announcement. “We remain supportive of the Administration in taking a critical step to ensure prescription drugs are ...
In a Time When Early Cancer Detection is Needed, the House Passes a Bill That Does Not Prioritize Lifesaving Programs
We don’t have to tell you how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the world; every one of you felt this in a deeply personal way. What you might not know is that a recent nationwide survey of cancer patients and those who recently ... cancer treatment revealed that nearly 1 in 3 have experienced delays or cancellations in their cancer-related care due to COVID-19. This can have a huge impact on the lives and wellbeing of cancer patients. But what about those living with cancer who don’t know it yet? It’s a ... exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), which has provided free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to millions of people who can’t afford them, aims to address this problem. But despite the urgent need ...
ACS Study Finds Short-Term Limited Duration Insurance Plans Associated With Advanced Cancer Diagnoses
ATLANTA, GA — Short-term limited duration (STLD) insurance plans do not provide comprehensive coverage and can leave patients who are diagnosed with a serious disease like cancer with catastrophic costs. In a new, large national study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, American Cancer Society (ACS) researchers found the 2018 federal policy loosening ... Furthermore, if Congress makes significant cuts to the Medicaid program, more individuals will find themselves lured in by the initial low cost of STLDs, only to find their coverage inadequate and the out-of-pocket cost unsustainable if they’re diagnosed with a chronic disease like ...
Administration Decision to Withhold CSR Payments Threatens Access to Affordable Health Insurance
Washington, D.C.— Oct. 13, 2017—The administration announced yesterday evening it will immediately end funding for cost sharing reductions (CSRs) that help low- and middle-income families afford their health coverage. The announcement follows an executive order issued earlier in the day encouraging the creation of association health plans and signaling a change in the rules governing the length and renewability of short-term catastrophic insurance plans. A statement from Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows: “The administration’s decision to withhold funding to help individuals afford their health coverage will destabilize the ...