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... consumers. This week the Administration released an amendment to its previous regulation on external appeals. The good news is that as a result of the regulation, virtually all people enrolled in private insurance, including ERISA self-insured plans, have the right to appeal, and the ... that were in existence before March 23, 2010 -– so called “grandfathered plans” -- and they remain largely unchanged in their benefits and cost-sharing.)                               Unfortunately, the regulation let consumers down, especially cancer patients who need to have disputes resolved quickly and fairly. Most notably, the scope of what can be appealed is limited to issues of "medical judgment.”   While medical judgment encompasses many possible disputes, the requirement fails ...

... Medicare and Medicaid eligibility and benefits. Because Medicare and Medicaid are critical programs for patients with chronic diseases, ACS CAN is partnering with the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association to include the patient voice in the debate. The attached fact sheets have been developed that can be used to help explain the importance of the Medicare and Medicaid programs to patients with chronic disease.  Medicaid~0117.pdf  Medicare Fact Sheet~Rev0113.pdf  FDA Committee Votes ... and Texas - states that have been wrestling with the decision of whether to accept federal dollars that have been set aside to finance the cost of providing health care coverage to up to 16 million hard working, low-income individuals nationwide. ACS CAN also briefed ACS CAN field ...

Biomarker testing helps connect patients with the right treatment at the right time. ACS CAN Iowa & Partners Support  SSB 3001   This bill would increase access to biomarker testing, which is a necessary first step to accessing precision medicine.  Precision medicine includes targeted therapies that can lead to improved survivorship and better quality of life for cancer patients. Timely access to guideline-indicated comprehensive biomarker testing will enable more patients to access the most effective treatments for their disease and can potentially help achieve the triple aim of health care: better health outcomes, improved quality of life and reduced costs.  This legislation will ensure Iowans covered by Medicaid and ...

Subscribe to the Cancer CANdor blog for updates on ACS CAN activities and cancer policy issues.   CANCER RESEARCH, PREVENTION & EARLY DETECTION   Sequestration Across-the-board budget cuts to domestic ... is taking a dangerous hit. Read the ACS CAN press release and my Cancer CANdor blog post .   Sequestration cuts the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget by $1.6 billion, or 5.1 percent. This brings the agency's spending level back to that of the 2008 fiscal year, but with even less purchasing power when accounting for the increased cost of medical research. Sequestration could lead to 1,380 fewer research grants being funded in the current fiscal year and could lead to 20,500 ...