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Health Equity Impacts of COVID-19 and How We’re Fighting Back

As part of its series of in-depth community conversations about health disparities that lead to negative outcomes for Blacks and other ethnic groups, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will hold a virtual health equity forum on August 18,2020 from 5-6:30 p.m. Topics will include COVID-19 health disparities and the impact on cancer care, and Assemblymember Rob Bonta will be honored for his health equity policy work in the Bay Area.  A recent ACS CAN survey of cancer patients ...

Cancer Patients Urge Congress to Include Critical Health Provisions in Reconciliation Package

... prepares to consider the Build Back Better Act , cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers are urging lawmakers to make sure certain key health provisions are included in any final legislation. Those provisions include: Closing the Medicaid coverage gap in the 12 states that have yet to expand Medicaid eligibility Extending the increased subsidies for purchasing health coverage on the marketplace Capping Medicare enrollee’s prescription drug costs while smoothing expenses for beneficiaries Creating a paid ... people would gain coverage. For cancer patients enrolled in Medicare the unlimited cost sharing for prescription drugs can render their care unaffordable. Capping the costs and allowing them to space out prescription co-payments throughout the year, rather than upfront, would enable ...

Ohio Department of Health Expands Eligibility for Breast and Cervical Cancer Project

... additional $100,000 per year to expand Medicaid eligibility for treatment of women who are diagnosed with cancer through the Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) Breast and Cervical Cancer Project (BCCP). The BCCP is a critical safety net program that provides free mammograms, cervical exams ... end of Breast Cancer Awareness month, ACS and ACS CAN applaud this expansion and remind everyone that early detection of cancer and access to care saves lives.  ### About ACS CAN at 20  The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for ... advocacy 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 ...

Marketplace Health Insurance Changes Likely to Impede Patients’ Access to Insurance; Increase Consumer Costs

Washington, D.C.--Today the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule regarding changes to marketplace health insurance plans. The rule, intended to help stabilize insurance markets created by the Affordable Care Act, potentially restricts patients’ access to special enrollment periods (SEPs), reduces the number of Essential Community Providers with ... supports a strong marketplace and welcomes efforts to strengthen it. However, any improvement efforts should not jeopardize access to meaningful health insurance for cancer patients, survivors and those at risk for the disease.   “Under the new rule, patients trying to enroll in insurance ...

ACS CAN Mourns Loss of Rep. Elijah Cummings, Longtime Health Advocate

ANNAPOLIS, Md.  — Today, longtime health advocate Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) died at the age of 68. The following statement can be attributed to John Hoctor, managing director of ... helped introduce legislation aimed at decreasing disparities in access to clinical trials. He was also tremendously supportive of our public health work on tobacco, access to care, health equity issues, and routinely supported funding increases for the National Institute of Health.  “He is a lawmaker who put his heart ...

House Takes Big Step in Right Direction for Montana’s Health and Business Community

... remove the sunset clause on Montana Medicaid expansion, assuring that tens of thousands state residents continue to have access to life-saving health care. “This is obviously important to keeping Montana healthy and prosperous,” American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Montana Grassroots ... the foundation for a healthy, prosperous state as well as a hand up for those who sometimes work multiple jobs but still cannot afford private health care. More than half of Montana Medicaid enrollees no longer need the program within two years or less, either gaining benefits through an ...

Kentucky’s Health Is on the Line Again: Senate Must Protect Access to Medicaid

... rushes the implementation process for co-payments that will increase out-of-pocket costs significantly for low-income Kentuckians with Medicaid health insurance, well ahead of what federal law requires.  “This bill disproportionately penalizes cancer patients by implementing the maximum allowable co-payment of $35 for inpatient hospital care, which is where cancer patients largely receive their lifesaving treatment. This bill also puts lives at risk and will mean more cancer ... and prevent unnecessary government red tape in our state. This bill is a matter of life or death for individuals with low incomes and serious health conditions, and the Senate has a responsibility to stop it.”   0 Today, the Kentucky House passed House Bill 2, which creates barriers to ...

Advocates to Congress: It’s Time to Pass Palliative Care Legislation

... to advance the interests of patients facing serious illness by supporting policies that improve and expand access to high-quality palliative care services. Palliative care provides patients with serious or chronic illnesses an additional layer of coordinated support through a team of specialized professionals, ultimately giving them more control in managing their disease and symptoms and leading to better health outcomes. More than 80 PQLC volunteers from 23 states and the District of Columbia will meet with their member of Congress today and ask for ... including symptom and pain management, and would establish palliative care education and training programs for doctors, nurses and other health professionals. It would also create a national public education and awareness campaign to educate patients and providers about the ...

House Narrowly Upholds President's Veto of Children's Health Bill and Tobacco Tax Increase

... House of Representatives today failed to secure enough votes to override President Bush’s veto of legislation expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). “The bill would expand the number of children covered by SCHIP by raising the federal cigarette tax by 61 ... chose to stand with the President rather than disadvantaged children. This is a tremendous opportunity lost, not only for the kids who need health care but for all Americans who would benefit from the enormous lifesaving potential of an increase in the federal tobacco tax.  “In recent ...

Victory for Public Health: ACS CAN Applauds Decision to Reject Flawed Biomarker Legislation

... to proven and necessary biomarker tests that can allow them to benefit from the right treatments at the right time – often leading to improved health outcomes, better quality of life, and ultimately cost savings – but this legislation fell short of those goals.  “Biomarker testing and precision medicine are helping extend and improve lives by tailoring care and treatment to a person’s specific type of cancer. ACS CAN had been excited about the opportunity to improve access to care for West ... 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 to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer ...

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