Letter: Bill supports biomarker testing
This letter originally ran in the Lincoln Journal Star.
News
New National Cancer Poll Builds Urgency for Reform
July 22, 2009
Last week, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released results from the only national survey that examines the state of the current health care system through the eyes of people with a history of cancer. The results show that cancer patients are not receiving accessible, affordable health care and overwhelmingly express the urgency needed to reform AmericaÈs health care system into one that better supports cancer patients. Key Findings: --1 in 4 families affected by cancer delayed care due to cost. --4 in 10 people with a cancer diagnosis have had difficulty paying for health care costs in the past few years. --Of those currently receiving cancer treatments, 24 percent delayed a recommended cancer test or treatment in the past year. --Sixty-seven percent of those under the age of 65 could not find an affordable health care plan. That 69 percent of people with a history of cancer say the health care system needs a complete overhaul or major reform shows there is strong public desire to fix the system now. As the leading patient voice in the health care reform debate, ACS CAN is advocating for a health care system that focuses on disease prevention, ensures access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans and emphasizes patient-centered care that provides quality care through the end of life. Visit Cancer Poll to read the full poll. Lake Research Partners and American viewpoint were commissioned by ACS CAN to administer the survey from May 1-11, 2009, to 1,057 adults ages 18 and older from across the country who say they or a member of their household have experienced cancer.