Public Policy Resources

As a recognized expert in cancer health policy, ACS CAN develops reports, white papers, testimony, fact sheets, regulatory comment letters and public policy on a wide range of issues related to preventing cancer and improving the health care system for persons with cancer and survivors.  We encourage you to use this resource to learn more about our issue priorities and policy work. If you can't find something you need, you may contact us by using our contact form and selecting Policy Resources from the drop-down menu.

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Patient Quality of Life

ACS CAN advocates for policies that improve the lives of cancer patients by making treatment of their pain and other symptoms and coordination of their care standard protocol throughout their treatment for cancer, starting at the point of diagnosis.

 

Palliative Care: Key Studies on Cost Savings

November 22, 2022

This table lists key studies and review articles that examine the effect that the addition of palliative care has on overall patient costs. While results vary, the addition of palliative care typically either reduces overall costs or is cost neutral.

Survivor Views: Patient Satisfaction by Gender

October 11, 2022

Our latest survey finds that female cancer patients are less satisfied with the quality of their cancer care than male cancer patients and are more likely to report that their symptoms were not taken seriously and that they had to prove their symptoms to providers.

ACS CAN comments re: Proposed 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids

April 11, 2022

ACS CAN submitted comments regarding the Proposed 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids. While we support certain changes in the Guideline - including a clearer exemption for cancer patients and patients receiving palliative care - we continue to have concerns about the misapplication of this and the previous Guideline. 

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Photo of ACS CAN Volunteers at Advocacy Event to Support Cancer Research Funding

Research, Funding and Drug Development

Improvements in outcomes for cancer patients require continued research and innovation.  ACS CAN advocates for robust federal funding for cancer research, as well as research and drug approval policies that accelerate the development of new treatments while still ensuring patient safety.

ACS CAN Comments on Draft FDA Guidance on Decentralized Clinical Trials

July 31, 2023

ACS CAN submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Draft Guidance on Decentralized Clinical Trials. 

Pharmacogenomic (PGx) Consensus Recommendations

June 29, 2023

These consensus recommendations endorsed by 12 organizations identify key steps to improve equitable pharmacogenomic (PGx) discovery and  implementation.

ACS CAN Comments on Draft FDA Guidance on Pharmacogenomic Data Submissions

June 22, 2023

ACS CAN submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Pharmacogenomic Data Submissions Draft Guidance for Industry. 

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Access to Health Care

ACS CAN advocates for policies that provide access to treatments and services people with cancer need for their care - including those who may be newly diagnosed, in active treatment and cancer survivors.

ACS CAN comments on Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Guidance

September 21, 2023

ACS CAN strongly advocated for inclusion in the Inflation Reduction Act of both an annual cap on total Part D out-of-pocket costs and a mechanism that would allow an enrollee the option to pay the required cost-sharing in capped monthly installments because we know from research that hig

Comments to CMS re: Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program

September 12, 2023

ACS CAN comments on CY2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

September 9, 2023

ACS CAN is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state, and local levels.

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Prevention and Early Detection

ACS CAN advocates for public policies that can prevent nearly half of all cancer deaths by ensuring access to recommended cancer screenings, protecting the public from skin cancer risk, reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke and supporting people in increasing physical activity, eating a healthy diet, and managing their weight.

The PSA Screening for HIM Act (H.R. 1826/S. 2821)

September 15, 2023

The PSA Screening for HIM Act  (H.R. 1826/S. 2821) would remove out-of-pocket costs for prostate cancer screening for those at highest risk for the disease. 

ACS CAN Supports the “Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act” (H.R. 4286)

September 15, 2023

Critical steps are needed to increase lung cancer screening rates across the country and also increasing to access comprehensive cessation benefits, especially among individuals with limited incomes that are disproportionately burdened by lung cancer.

ACS CAN supports H.R. 4286 to eliminate barriers and increase access to lung cancer screening and expand coverage for tobacco cessation.

ACS CAN Supports the Find It Early Act (H.R.3086)

September 15, 2023

Breast cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer among women in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer death among women after lung cancer. Ensuring breast cancer screening services ― including diagnostic and follow-up testing ― are covered without no cost-sharing is essential to increasing access and expanding coverage of breast cancer screening.

ACS CAN supports H.R. 3086 to increase access to no cost breast cancer screening, diagnostic and follow-up testing.

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