The impact for cancer patients could be devastating.
That is the argument ACS CAN is making in an amicus brief filed today in U.S. District Court. The brief is supporting a lawsuit filed by the Association for Community Affiliated Plans that objects to the recent Trump Administration policy allowing for the expansion of what’s known as short-term health plans.
Officially called short-term, limited duration plans, these health plans allow insurance companies to discriminate against cancer patients and survivors, denying coverage for cancer treatment or refusing to insure those impacted by cancer altogether.
The expansion of these plans is expected to weaken the individual insurance market, leading to higher insurance premiums and costs for cancer patients and survivors.
““Increases in premiums and decreases in availability of comprehensive plans will fall particularly hard on those with significant medical needs. Because issuers of short-term plans are empowered to discriminate against those with pre-existing conditions, such individuals will remain reliant on their ability to secure ACA-compliant plans,” a coalition of patient groups, including ACS CAN, said in a press statement issued earlier today.
ACS CAN was joined by other prominent patient organizations in filing the brief, including March of Dimes and the American Heart Association.
Over the past decade, ACS CAN volunteers and members have played a major role in protecting specific policies that ensured people with preexisting conditions like cancer had access to affordable, quality health coverage.
Filing this brief was the continuation of our effort, one that will continue as additional threats to cancer patients and survivors are pursued.