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.
Many cancer patients take multiple drugs as part of their treatment – often for many months or years. While drugs are not the only costly part of cancer treatment, finding ways to reduce these costs for patients and payers will significantly reduce the overall cost burden of cancer.
This Survivor Views survey examined access to and affordability of cancer care. Survivors report insurance-related barriers to obtaining prescriptions, and lower-income respondents in particular have difficulty affording them. 24% of respondents have received a surprise medical bill, 60% of which were more than $500.
Biological drugs, commonly referred to as biologics, are a class of drugs that are produced using a living system, such as a microorganism, plant cell, or animal cell. Like all drugs, biologics are regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For an individual with specific health care needs – like cancer patients and survivors – the drugs covered by a health plan and corresponding cost sharing for each drug is important information when choosing health insurance. However, to make an informed choice, formulary information must be disclosed to the individual.
On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, ACS CAN filed comments in response to the Adminsitration's request for information on the essential health benefits framework.
There have been a number of changes to Marketplace Open Enrollment for plan year 2026. This factsheet is designed to help consumers as they navigate their options.
In our latest survey, cancer patients and survivors overwhelmingly support extending financial assistance for people who purchase health coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace by a margin of nearly 12 to 1 (72% support, 6% oppose). The survey also finds 43% would not be able to afford their plan without the enhanced tax credits, 30% would skip or delay medical care to reduce expenses, and 24% would accumulate medical debt to afford their care.
Cancer patients and survivors must balance reducing their health care costs with ensuring they have comprehensive coverage of services, treatments, and care providers.
High deductible health plans (HDHPs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) are becoming more common in employer-sponsored insurance and the individual and small group markets. These types of plans have risks and features must be implemented carefully so they do not harm cancer patients, survivors or those at risk for cancer.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the Senate Finance Committee on the Request for Information: Commonsense Policy Options to Lower Drug Prices for Patients.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program Proposed Rule.
Growing drug costs in the United States are placing pressure on health plans to implement strategies to balance drug expenditures and utilization. Utilization management (UM) tactics are frequently used across public and private insurance plan types to control prescription drug spending.
As drug costs in the United States rise, health insurance plans are implementing strategies to balance expenditures and utilization. Plans can employ utilization management (UM) tactics to mitigate prescription drug spending.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the Interoperability Standards and Prior Authorization for Drugs Proposed Rule.
ACS CAN also developed a one pager on prior authorization and its impact on cancer patients.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Initial Price Applicability Year (IPAY) 2028 public engagement process, including results from patient-experience surveys
The American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network provided joint comments to CMS on the the proposed decision memo for changes to the existing National Coverage Decision (NCD) 210.3 related to screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) using non-invasive biomarker tests
Cancer patients and survivors must balance reducing their health care costs with ensuring they have comprehensive coverage of services, treatments, and care providers.
ACS CAN submitted comments strongly supporting several policy changes that will make it easier to apply for, enroll in, and maintain enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP.
