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Expand Access to Biomarker Testing in Massachusetts

... benefit from this important testing. Video of maggies_biomarker_story Jung A's Biomarker Story - YouTube What is Biomarker Testing? In cancer care, biomarkers are often used to help determine the best treatment for a patient . A “ biomarker ” is a sign of a normal biological process, ... that have been excluded, including communities of color, individuals with lower socioeconomic status, rural communities, and those receiving care in non-academic medical centers are less likely to receive biomarker testing. Improving coverage for and access to biomarker testing across insurance types is key to reducing health disparities. Without action to expand coverage and access to biomarker testing, advances in precision medicine could increase existing ...

Statement on the Death of Supreme Court Justice and Equal Rights Champion Ruth Bader Ginsburg

... with various forms of cancer including colon, lung and the recurrent pancreatic cancer that eventually claimed her life. However, her personal health history and active survivorship made her an inspiration for many patients and survivors and helped inform her deep commitment to public health policy. “Justice Ginsburg was one of six justices to uphold the Affordable Care Act, which has given cancer patients and survivors critical access to comprehensive health coverage, including cancer prevention, screening ...

Governor Christie Enacts Legislation That Will Protect Youth from Deadly Addiction and Disease

... smoking devices to anyone under 21.  The current age requirement is 19. California and Hawaii already have enacted this important public health measure. Brian Shott, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey director of government relations released the ... Valerie Vainieri Huttle for their continued leadership on this issue, and commend Governor Christie for enacting this crucial public health measure. Raising the age for the sale of tobacco products sends a powerful message that New Jersey will protect our young people from the ... Tobacco continues to claim too many lives and is the leading cause of preventable death. This law will not only save lives, but will cut health care costs. “With this action Governor Christie, the Assembly and the Senate have put New Jersey in the forefront of saving lives.” For More ...

As Thousands of Kansans Get Kicked Off Medicaid, State Legislators Head for Vacation Break

... are going on an 8-month break at the same time the state is restarting eligibility redeterminations for Medicaid. This process will take away health insurance from 16,000 Kansans. Right now, 150,000 Kansans are already in the coverage gap because the legislature refuses to expand ... Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in reaction. “Last week’s action to close yet another session without ensuring affordable health coverage for 150,000 Kansans marks yet another day where lawmakers directly put their constituents’ health at risk.   “Their political ... inaction on Medicaid expansion and we will not allow the daily, lived experience of over 150,000 Kansans who are forced to forgo the lifesaving care and treatment they need to survive to be forgotten and their voices silenced. “The timing is particularly cruel for Kansas families because ...

Ohio House Turns Its Back on Ohio Kids

... Leo Almeida   COLUMBUS, OHIO – “The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) condemns the House for not standing up for the health of Ohioans and putting our children at greater risk of becoming Big Tobacco’s next customers. Instead of offering solutions to address the health of our residents, lawmakers have now limited what local governments can do to prevent people from starting to use tobacco and help people ... affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever 0 ACS CAN condemns the House for not standing up for the ...

Durbin Bill Could Reinvigorate America 's Fight Against Cancer

... Act , a bill that would create a mandatory dedicated funding stream for four biomedical research agencies including the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bill would provide $150 billion over the next 10 years, a much-needed infusion of ... increase in the federal cigarette tax as well as increases on other tobacco products would have an additional very positive impact on public health because we know that raising the price of cigarettes at the point of sale is our most effective strategy in reducing smoking. It will save more lives and further reduce long-term health care costs. ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative ...

New Jersey Step Therapy Reform

... chosen by their insurance company – not their healthcare professional - before gaining access to the drug that was recommended to treat their health condition. When implemented inappropriately, step therapy can result in patients not being able to access the treatments they need in a ... disorders, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, arthritis, psoriasis, heart disease, mental illness, multiple sclerosis Step Therapy/Fail First Policies Delay Care A survey of more than 1,400 patients conducted in 2016 by the Arthritis Foundation revealed that over half of all patients reported having to ... New Jersey. Reforming Step Therapy Means Ensuring That it is: ✔ Safe for patients ✔ Clinically grounded, and ✔ Transparent to patients and health care providers What does step therapy reform look like? Step therapy, also known as Fail First, is a process that requires patients to try ...

New Report: Failure by Southeastern State Legislators on Tobacco Policies Leads to Higher Tobacco Use, Greater Cancer Burden

... result of tobacco use, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Given this, the state’s biggest opportunity to save lives and reduce health care costs would be increasing the price of tobacco products by $1.50 or more per pack of cigarettes.  “South Carolina’s excise tax on ... increase to the tobacco tax would not only lower tobacco-use rates but also have the added benefit of saving the state millions of dollars in health care costs.” Based on data from the National Vital Statistics System from 2010 to 2014, the lung cancer mortality rate in the 12 ...

States Urged to Pass and Defend Patient Protection Laws Requiring Insurers to Cover Costs of Colon Cancer Screening

... advocates are bracing to protect existing legislation in states that currently guarantee access to these lifesaving tests, a coalition of public health associations and medical professional societies reported today. The progress made in passing state-mandated coverage of colon cancer ... medical guidelines has come to a near halt as state legislatures reconsider their role in the wake of the passage of the federal Affordable Care Act. Only one state, Hawaii, passed coverage legislation in 2010. Combined with Vermont’s legislation passed in 2009, only two states have ... cancer screening has access to it. We know that the prevention or early detection that can result from screening saves lives, and will save health care dollars for the states in the long run.” With the addition of Hawaii in 2010, 23 states and the District of Columbia now require ...

ACS CAN calls on legislative leaders to include colorectal cancer screening in state budget

ALBANY, NY – A coalition of more than 65 patient and provider groups, cancer centers, and other public health organizations delivered a letter to state legislative leaders in support of legislation that would require insurance plans to cover ... stool-based screening test, it should be considered as the next step in the preventive screening process and therefore should be covered by health insurers with no patient out-of-pocket cost. ACS CAN is calling on state leaders to include S906-B sponsored by Senators Sanders and Kennedy ... affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and made workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smoke-free. As we mark our 20th anniversary, we’re more determined than ever to ...

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