Public Policy Resources

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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.

Prescription Drug Affordability Resources:

Understanding Biologic and Biosimilar Drugs

July 27, 2018

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).

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Medicare Resources:

ACS CAN Comments on Medicare Drug Price Negotiations IPAY 2028 Public Engagement Process

May 21, 2026

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

ACS and ACS CAN comments on Medicare NCD

April 8, 2026

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

ACS CAN Comments on Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing (GLOBE) Model proposed rule

February 24, 2026

ACS CAN filed a comment letter regarding the policies included in the Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing (GLOBE) Model proposed rule.

ACS CAN Comments on Guarding U.S. Against Rising Drug Costs (GUARD) Model proposed rule

February 24, 2026

ACS CAN filed a comment letter regarding the policies included in the Guarding U.S. Against Rising Drug Costs (GUARD) Model proposed rule.

Group Letter Supporting MCED Legislation

September 24, 2025

ACS CAN joined with 50 other organizations to applaud Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) for sponsoring and prioritizing the passage of the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 842).

ACS CAN Comments on CY2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule

September 12, 2025

ACS CAN filed a comment letter regarding the following policies included in the calendar year 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule:

Utilization Management in Breast Cancer and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

May 21, 2024

Executive Summary

Step Therapy in Medicare Part D Oncology Drugs

May 21, 2024

Executive Summary

ACS & ACS CAN and Partners Joint Comments on Patient Navigation Provisions of CY2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

September 8, 2023

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 CY2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Costs and Barriers to Care Resources:

Navigating the Coverage Experience and Financial Challenges for Cancer Patients

July 24, 2017

This report explores the experiences of cancer patients with their health insurance and financial challenges through interviews with hospital-based financial navigators. The report finds that while the Affordable Care Act has brought crucial improvements to patient access to health insurance, cancer patients still face serious challenges affording their care and using their insurance benefits.

Strong Prevention Policies Will Reduce the Cancer Burden

January 10, 2017

Current federal law provides life-saving coverage of cancer prevention and early detection services and programs.  These provisions are crucial to reducing the incidence and impact of cancer in the United States.  They are also crucial in helping cancer survivors remain cancer-free and lead healthy lives.

Bans on Lifetime and Annual Cost Caps Protect Cancer Patients

January 9, 2017

Current federal requirements prohibit most insurance plans from limiting both the lifetime and annual dollar value of benefits.  This ban is one of several important patient protections that must be part of any health care system that works for cancer patients.

 

 

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Medicaid Resources:

ACS CAN Comments to CMS re: Georgia Medicaid Work Requirements

June 2, 2025

ACS CAN Comments to CMS re: Arizona Medicaid Work Requirements

May 9, 2025

ACS CAN Comments to CMS re: Arkansas Medicaid Work Requirements

May 9, 2025

ACS CAN Comments Opposing Ohio Medicaid Work Requirement

April 7, 2025

ACS CAN opposes Ohio’s proposal to implement work requirements in its Medicaid program, and we urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to reject this waiver.

Medicaid Expansion & The End of Continuous Coverage in Alabama

April 26, 2023

What does unwinding continuous coverage have to do with Medicaid expansion?

  • During the pandemic, Congress put in place continuous coverage protections to ensure that Medicaid enrollees were able to keep their health coverage without needing to re-enroll.

Survivor Views: Open Enrollment

February 16, 2023

Cancer patients and survivors must balance reducing their health care costs with ensuring they have comprehensive coverage of services, treatments, and care providers.

Comments to CMS re: Medicaid/CHIP Enrollment & Eligibility Streamlining

November 1, 2022

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.

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