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SC Bill Would Eliminate Out-of-Pocket Costs for Breast Cancer Diagnostic Tests, Save Lives

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A new report by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) found that over 70% of commercially-insured patients had out-of-pocket costs for follow-up breast cancer diagnostic tests in 2023. These ... mammograms, MRIs, ultrasounds or biopsies, are medically recommended next steps to determine if an individual has cancer. However, barriers like cost can keep people from getting them. While screening mammograms are free to most insured women starting at age 40, follow-up testing often ...

Alternative Medicaid Financing Proposals Could Jeopardize Cancer Care; Increase States’ Medicaid Costs

... curative care under alternative Medicaid financing models being considered by Congress. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) today sent a letter detailing the organization’s concerns to select governors invited to attend a Medicaid meeting led by the Senate Finance ... current system, fixed federal payments would not adjust automatically to account for increased enrollment, unexpected health emergencies or the cost of new breakthrough treatments. Instead, such financing would shift the cost to states, which would then likely implement restrictions to make up ...

2015 Quality of Life Health Forum: Removing the Barriers of Care

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) hosted a Patient Quality of Life Forum on June 10th at Roper St. Francis Cancer Center. The event brought together doctors, lawmakers and patients to build awareness, understanding and dialogue around the importance of palliative care and quality of life for patients living with serious chronic illnesses like cancer. Palliative care honors patient choice about ...

South Carolina Should Prioritize Health Care Access Instead of Barriers

COLUMBIA, S.C. – May 6, 2025 – The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services held a public hearing today regarding plans to submit a waiver request to establish Palmetto Pathways, a program that ... set strict eligibility requirements for Medicaid recipients who are parents. In response, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Regional Government Relations Director Beth Johnson released the following statement: “We know state officials want to do something about ...  Georgia has already tried this and less than 1% of eligible people enrolled in a similar program. “Essentially, Palmetto Pathways would cost the state more money to cover fewer people than traditional Medicaid expansion. It also leaves out single adults and those who earn under 67% ...

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco a Priority for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in 2018

Columbia, SC – January 29, 2018 – As lawmakers dive into the new year the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is looking ahead to what public health initiatives can be accomplished in 2018. South Carolina has a long way to go when it comes to tobacco control issues. Each year in South Carolina 2,500 kids under the age of eighteen become new daily smokers, 7,200 adults die from smoking and annual health care costs in South Carolina directly caused by smoking are $1.9 billion.  Don’t worry, ACS CAN has solutions. A one-time increase in the cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack would save thousands of lives and would raise millions of dollars for the state. The increase would be a win-win for South Carolina. A $1.50 increase would help 37,900 ...

Legislators Want to Improve Quality of Life for Cancer Patients

Columbia, SC–February 15, 2018– This statement can be attributed to Beth Johnson, director of government relations in South Carolina for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS ... with co-sponsors Representative Robert Ridgeway and Representative Bruce Bryant, introduced a bill yesterday that would improve the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers.  The palliative care bill is an example of concerned and caring legislators desiring to improve ...

2025 is the Time to Reduce the Burden of Cancer on South Carolinians

COLUMBIA, S.C. – As the 2025 legislative session begins Tuesday, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges lawmakers to support policies that will reduce the cancer burden in the Palmetto State. ACS CAN South Carolina Government Relations ... state’s challenges when it comes to cancer care, including prevention and early detection. More than 450,000 South Carolinians , the majority of whom are working, don’t have health insurance and lack access to lifesaving care. “Too many South Carolinians are caught between paying for ... at more than double the national rate . “Around 35,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in South Carolina each year, with nearly one-third of those people dying from the disease. These numbers can go down when lawmakers take clear, proven steps to address the issue. ACS CAN looks ...

Governor’s Medicaid Proposal Would Spend More Money to Cover Fewer People Than Expansion

COLUMBIA, S.C. – In a recent letter , Gov. Henry McMaster asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to approve a request that would allow parents making between 67% and 100% of the federal poverty level to access ... following is a statement from Beth Johnson , regional government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in South Carolina: “We appreciate the Governor’s attempt to remedy the health care coverage crisis in South Carolina. However, we urge him ... his proposal, which would limit eligibility and access to care for some of the most vulnerable South Carolinians, add administrative burdens and cost to state government and challenge cancer patients when they are facing the fight of their lives. It would also cost the state more money to ...

Health Policy Forum on Tobacco Control in South Carolina

The Impact of Tobacco in South Carolina Please join us for a health policy forum to disucss the following issues in our state.  You will have the opportunity to hear from experts in the field on the latest evidence showing the toll of tobacco on our state.  Tobacco remains the number one preventable cause of death and South Carolina’s biggest opportunity to save lives, ... $5 million from the cigarette tax that is currently allocated to tobacco prevention and control but we have to determine how additional funds can be secured at the state level and how the state will adquately use those funds. Currently, South Carolina spends less than 10 percent of the ...

Tobacco Control Issues

Tobacco Control Issues Tobacco remains the number one preventable cause of death and South Carolina’s biggest opportunity to save lives, reduce health care costs and generate additional revenue for the state.   ... smoke-free policies that include all restaurants, bars, casinos, and non-hospitality workplaces at the state and local level.  ACS CAN will also work to defend existing comprehensive laws and expand laws that are not comprehensive. Local Control  ACS CAN will advocate for local communities to have the ability to create local tobacco control laws that impact their community. Tobacco Control Issues ...

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