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December 2017 State Update

ACS CAN Massachusetts will be focusing on a variety of issues in the 2017-2018 Legislative Session.  Below is an update on those that have had ... to submit price and other data to the state Health Policy Commission and requires the companies to testify at the Commission’s annual “cost trend” hearings. Sets a benchmark for hospitals to reduce readmissions 20% by 2020 with the potential for penalties for hospitals missing ...

U.S. Senate Passes Health Care Reform Legislation

... to affordable, quality care and significantly improve the health care system for cancer patients and their families.   As the leading voice of patients in the debate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network SM (ACS CAN) worked with lawmakers from both parties to ensure the bill meets the needs of people with cancer by:   •         Elevating the ... prevention; •         Guaranteeing quality, affordable coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions; •         Reducing the cost burden on families; •         Covering routine health costs for those who enroll in clinical trials; and •         ...

4-5-12 Affordable Care Act Update

In the States   ACS CAN and Society Divisions used the two year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and the Supreme Court hearing to educate the public about the ... . ACS CAN and Division state staff also continue to garner media coverage around their exchange implementation work. One great example of creative outreach occurred in New York , where they created an " exchangopoly " game board that garnered great media attention.  Read about the ...

3-31-11 Affordable Care Act Update

...  The report studied mechanisms other than the individual mandate, but the results were inconclusive, with little evidence showing that any of them would lead to equivalent, economically sustainable insurance coverage for the 32 million additional Americans who will be covered once the ACA is fully in effect. ACS CAN believes that the critical patient protections in the ACA, including those that end discrimination in the insurance market against people with ... changing the MLR is not in the best interest of consumers and meaningful insurance reform. Update on Medicaid As part of a strategy to contain cost, many Republican Governors have proposed converting Medicaid from a federal entitlement that offers states matching funds to a fixed federal ...

1-08-10 This Week in Health Care Reform

As you know (and as many of you no doubt watched on C-SPAN despite the early hour), cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones came one step closer to a remedy for our ... by refocusing the system to emphasize prevention; guaranteeing quality, affordable coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions; reducing the cost burden on families; eliminating lifetime coverage limits; covering routine health costs for those who enroll in clinical trials; and emphasizing patients’ quality of life. Earlier in December, ACS CAN raised concerns about the negative impact of annual benefit limits on many cancer patients, and those concerns were heard by the Senate and the ...

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 ...

10-7-10 Affordable Care Act Update

... papers on insurance reform and the exchanges have been posted to www.fightcancer.org/healthcare/learn . The fact sheets provide brief overviews of provisions in the law that impact cancer patients. New factsheets include information on Medicaid benefits, the Indian Health Service, and ... at www.fightcancer.org/healthcare.learn .      Comments on Interim Final Rule on State Health Exchanges   On Monday, October 4, ACS CAN signed onto a consumer group letter responding to the US Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) request for comments regarding the ... in the nation to do so since the Affordable Care Act was enacted. Schwarzenegger also signed a bill that supports immediate implementation of no-cost prevention in the state, rather than waiting until 2014.     Resolution on Grandfathered Plans   ACS CAN last month joined seven other ...

10-12-12 Affordable Care Act Update

... dozen governors have indicated they will expand their programs, while several others have expressed their intention to opt out. Regardless, ACS CAN anticipates a significant number of state legislatures will debate, discuss and vote on the issue during their 2013 legislative sessions.    With the assistance of ACS CAN state ... including tax credits,  premium rating reforms, and administrative simplification.  (The impact of the essential health benefits package on cost could not be estimated because too little information is available at this time.)  As always, thank you for all you do every day to support ...

2025-2026 Massachusetts Priorities

... samples (e.g., blood, tumor tissue) taken from a patient to identify and evaluate specific biomarkers. Research shows that targeted therapy can improve patient survival and quality of life. When doctors connect patients to the most effective treatment for their cancer, patients can avoid treatments that will be ineffective or ... consumers run the risk of picking the wrong plan, one that may not cover all their medications at a price they can afford.  While the cost of a drug can vary significantly depending on the source, consumers who are increasingly facing co-insurance (rather than a fixed co-pay) must ...

December 2012 Monthly Advocacy Update

CANCER CANDOR BLOG HIGHLIGHTS See Chris' blog for a look at ACS CAN's 2012 highlights and an inspirational guest blog by Dr. Richard Deming, a member of the ACS CAN Board, about his recent experiences hiking in the Himalayas with a group of cancer survivors and care givers.   2013 PREVIEW  ACS ... increasingly relying on provider networks as a marketing tool for improving market share and controlling costs. Insurers are raising the rate of cost-sharing when participants go out-of-network for care, sometimes as high as 50 percent. Moreover, the networks sometimes change frequently as ...

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