Access to Health Care Press Releases
According to a new report released last week by the American Cancer Society, the number of people living with a history of cancer in the United States is estimated at 18.6 million and projected to exceed 22 million by 2035. The new report also revealed that, in New York State, there are over 1.2 million cancer survivors alive today. The findings come at the start of National Cancer Survivors Month, which brought cancer survivors and advocates to the New York State Capitol earlier today to honor the lives touched by cancer and remind state lawmakers of the difference they can make in the fight against the disease.
Earlier today, the New York State Senate voted to remove barriers to lung cancer screening in New York State, passing critical legislation to better equip New Yorkers to detect and treat lung cancer. S2000-A / A1195-A ensures comprehensive insurance coverage for lung cancer screening and eliminates cost sharing for recommended lung cancer screening, follow-up scans and diagnostic tests for asymptomatic individuals by all payers in the state.
Tuesday, Utah advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) delivered nearly 1,000 petitions signed by constituents to Sen. John Curtis’ district office in Salt Lake City, urging him to protect Medicaid by opposing any cuts to the program. The postcards highlighted how looming cuts to Medicaid would harm Utahns, including working families, cancer patients and survivors, pregnant women, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans and children.
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the reconciliation bill this week which includes drastic, $715 billion cuts to Medicaid that will result in at least 8.6 million people losing health insurance coverage, including cancer patients and survivors.
Volunteer advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the newly-formed Protect Medicaid Utah coalition gathered Wednesday afternoon to oppose work requirements for Medicaid which is currently being considered by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
Over 120 volunteer advocates from across Pennsylvania, including cancer survivors, patients and caregivers, convened at the state Capitol yesterday for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ an event hosted annually by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Advocates met with their state lawmakers and urged them to support policies that aid in the fight against cancer.
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee released a budget proposal late last night that would drastically slash funding for Medicaid by $715 billion.
Today, Colorado advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) delivered over 200 postcards signed by constituents to Rep. Gabe Evans’ district office in Northglenn, urging him to protect Medicaid by opposing any cuts to the program. The postcards highlighted how looming cuts to Medicaid would harm millions of Coloradans, including working families, cancer patients and survivors, pregnant women, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans and children.
This week, New York state leaders released details on the state budget for FY 2025-26 and patient advocates are responding with disappointment over the failure to produce solutions to improve New Yorkers’ access to paid leave and, with it, their financial mobility. The same advocates visited Albany last month for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) annual Cancer Action Day to promote the importance of Senate Bill 172/Assembly Bill 84, the proposal to improve New Yorkers’ access to time off during treatment which now has 73 Assembly co-sponsors and passed the Senate in March.
Last week, Governor Glenn Youngkin approved legislation to reduce the burden of medical debt on Virginians. The proposal, which was championed by Delegate Karrie Delaney in the Legislature (House Bill 1725), will limit the burden of medical debt by ensuring that interest rates on medical debt are limited to 3% a year, wage garnishment is prohibited for all patients who quality for financial assistance programs and patients’ core financial assets, like their home, are safeguarded.
