Public Policy Resources

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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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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.

Threats to Medicaid Funding: Changes to Provider Taxes & State-Directed Payments

October 22, 2025

Medicaid is a critical source of health insurance and coverage for more than 77 million Americans, including people with cancer who rely on the program for prevention, timely detection, treatment, and survival. The 2025 budget reconciliation bill makes significant changes to key Medicaid funding mechanisms like state-directed payments and provider taxes, which are expected to reduce states’ ability to finance their Medicaid programs. This factsheet outlines what these changes mean, the projected financial impact on states, and consequences for patient access to cancer care.

ACS CAN Comments to CMS re: Montana 1115 Waiver

October 17, 2025

ACS CAN submitted comments to CMS opposing Montana's 1115 waiver application to implement work requirements and premiums in their Medicaid program.

Medicaid Work Requirements Jeopardize Cancer Patients & Survivors

October 8, 2025

ACS CAN opposes policies that condition Medicaid enrollment on work or reporting of work. 

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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.

Survivor Views on Artificial Intelligence and FDA Medical Product Reviews

September 14, 2025

Our latest survey finds 80% of cancer patients and survivors agree that industries making FDA-regulated products should provide some of the cost of FDA’s public health oversight. The survey also reveals hesitency toward the increased use of AI, mirroring the sentiment of the American public. Cancer patients and survivors offer tempered support for the use of AI in FDA product reviews if funding cuts extend review times, with a plurality undecided on whether they support or oppose it.

Community Support Letter for Clinical Trial Modernization Act 119th Congress

August 18, 2025

Over 130 organizations have endorsed the Clinical Trial Modernization Act (H.R. 3521).  The legislation would address known barriers to cancer clinical trial participation, enabling financial and technical support of patients enrolled on trials while protecting them from unexpected tax burdens from that support. 

ACS CAN Supports the Clinical Trial Modernization Act (H.R. 3521)

May 22, 2025

The Clinical Trial Modernization Act (H.R. 3521) increase access to clinical trials by allowing clinical trial sponsors to provide financial support to patients for costs associated with their trial participation, including medical cost-sharing like copays, and non-medical expenses such as travel, parking, food and lodging.

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Photo of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Event Participant

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.

Black Men and Prostate Cancer

November 5, 2025

After declining through much of the late 2000s and early 2010s, prostate cancer incidence rates have risen for nearly a decade. The increase includes distant-stage disease diagnoses among men of all ages, climbing by nearly 3% annually among those younger than 55 years.

ACS CAN Comments to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

September 19, 2025

ACS CAN supports fact-based vaccine policies that fight cancer through increased access and uptake of vaccines that prevent viruses that lead to cancer, treat cancer by boosting the immune system, and protect cancer patients and their families by maximizing community immunity.

Congress Should Reauthorize the Young Women’s Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act (EARLY ACT 2025)

August 29, 2025

Young women in the U.S. are increasingly being diagnosed with breast cancer. About 16% of all new cases of breast
cancer in the U.S. are in women younger than 50. The impact on young women’s lives can be devastating, as breast

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Doctor and Patient

Health Equity

ACS CAN supports health equity efforts for all Americans so they may receive access to quality care, no matter their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, income level or ZIP code. 

Increasing Access to Cancer Screenings for Individuals with Disabilities

September 30, 2025

For the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer – no matter how much money someone makes, the color of their skin, sexual orientat

Solo los datos: Desigualdades en el cáncer de seno

May 29, 2025

El cáncer de seno es el tipo de cáncer que se diagnostica con mayor frecuencia en mujeres en EE.UU. Aunque en lasúltimas décadas se han logrado avances sustanciales en la reducción de la mortalidad por esta enfermedad,persisten desigualdades, especialmente entre las mujeres de raza negra.

ACS, ACS CAN and Partners Joint Comments on Patient Navigation Provisions of CY2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

September 9, 2024

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) along with partners appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Patient Navigation provisions of CY2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

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