Reducing Health Disparities Press Releases
The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate today introduced legislation aimed at eliminating health disparities. Sponsored by Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026 offers a comprehensive policy framework that will help address health inequities that intersect with race and ethnicity as well as geography, immigration status, age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, language and socioeconomic status. The bill includes policy solutions that will help bolster cancer research and improve access to cancer prevention, early detection and care.
Nearly 200 patient advocacy, public health and health care professional organizations sent a letter to the Senate declaring their strong support for the Clinical Trial Modernization Act (S. 4440/H.R. 3521). The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would help remove cost and geographic barriers that keep patients from enrolling and participating in clinical trials. The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Mark Warner (D-VA) in April 2026 and in the U.S. House of Representatives in May 2025 by Reps. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and August Pfluger (R-TX).
WASHINGTON, DC – According to a new American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) survey, more than half (53%) of cancer patients and survivors living in rural communities find it difficult to afford their cancer care.
A new bill that would improve access to clinical trials was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate. Sponsored by Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), the Clinical Trial Modernization Act (S. 4440) would help reduce cost and geographic barriers, making it easier for patients to take part in clinical trials. U.S. Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) and August Pfluger (R-Texas) introduced the House version (H.R. 3521) of this legislation in May 2025.
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 16, 2026 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released a new report today showing the scope of cancer disparities in the United States and recommended local, state and federal policies that can help reduce them. Cancer Disparities: An American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Chartbook examines disparities in cancer screening, prevention and early detection, disparities in cancer incidence, mortality and survival, as well as disparities in access to health coverage.
Cancer survivors and caregivers urge lawmakers to support legislation that will increase access to precision medicine through biomarker testing.
This week, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network submitted comments in a letter opposing several policies in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters proposed rule for plan year 2027.
Today, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) was joined by 24 other organizations in proposing the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General adopt a new regulatory safe harbor from the Anti-kickback Statute that would allow clinical trial sponsors to financially support patients to offset indirect or non-medical costs associated with clinical trial participation, such as travel, parking and lodging.
ACS CAN presented Medford’s Marina Watanabe with the Young Leader award in recognition of her passionate advocacy and commitment to ending cancer as we know it, for everyone.
