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:

Survivor Views: Surprise Billing and Prescription Cost and Coverage Survey Findings Summary

December 4, 2019

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.

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).

Formulary Transparency Helps Cancer Patients

October 6, 2017

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.

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Private Health Insurance Resources:

Marketplace Open Enrollment 2026

November 21, 2025

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. 

ACS CAN Comments on Market Integrity Proposed Rule

April 11, 2025

ACS CAN supports the administration’s goal of improving market integrity and we are committed to policies that effectively address any waste, fraud, and abuse that exists in public health care programs.

ACS CAN Factsheet: The Importance of Enhanced ACA Tax Credits to States

December 13, 2024

This factsheet provides information on how the enhanced ACA tax credits help states. 

ACS CAN Factsheet: Why Congress Must Act Swiftly on Enhanced ACA Tax Credits

October 9, 2024

This factsheet provides background information on why Congress must act swiftly to extend the enhanced ACA tax credits. 

Cancer Patients & Survivors Overwhelmingly Support Extending ACA Enhanced Tax Credits

October 8, 2024

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.

Post Braidwood Coverage of USPSTF Recommendations

April 25, 2023

On Thursday, March 30, 2023, Judge O’Connor released a final opinion on remedies in Braidwood Management vs.

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.

ACS CAN Comments re: Health Reimbursement Arrangements

December 28, 2018

ACS CAN submitted comments regarding a proposed rule to change Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and other account-based group health plans.

Medicaid Resources:

Medicaid Expansion & The End of Continuous Coverage in Georgia

April 28, 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.

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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