Access to Health Care

Share

Photo of a Doctor visiting their patient in the hospital

Related Priorities

Every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care. From cancer screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies to the latest breakthroughs in treatment, everyone should have access to the care that could prevent cancer and save their life.  In addition, ensuring that low-income working families have access to affordable health insurance is proven to reduce overall health care costs. 

We are working in every state and in Congress to expand health care options and protect existing laws that help patients get true access to the care they need. 

People without health insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a late stage, when the disease is harder to treat, more costly and more difficult to survive.

Latest Updates

See More Updates

Cancer Advocates Celebrate as Governor Signs “Jill’s Law” for Biomarker Testing Coverage

March 17, 2026
Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. – Cancer advocates are celebrating after Gov. Tate Reeves signed “Jill’s Law” House Bill 565 Monday night, paving the way for increased access to biomarker testing for Mississippians with state-regulated health insurance plans. Biomarker testing is a key tool used by physicians to identify the

ACS CAN: New Proposed Rule for Many Private Health Insurance Plans Would Have Life-Threatening Consequences for Cancer Patients and Survivors

March 13, 2026
National

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.

Annual “Suits and Sneakers” Cancer Action Day Comes to Columbia

March 3, 2026
South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Around 50 cancer survivors, patients and advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will come from around the state for “Suits and Sneakers” Cancer Action Day at the State House on Wednesday, March 4. The event is an annual highlight as lawmakers

Alabama Senate Sends Bill to Reduce Costs of Breast Cancer Imaging to Governor’s Desk

February 26, 2026
Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Senate passed House Bill 300 Thursday, which would help patients better afford breast cancer screenings. HB300 would make sure any state-regulated health insurance plan covers follow-up diagnostic imaging without any cost-sharing, including a deductible. A recent report by the American Cancer

Access to Health Care Resources

ACS CAN comments on NCQA colorectal cancer screening HEDIS measure

March 12, 2026

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA’s) on their proposed new quality measure for HEDIS measurement year (MY) 2027 related to follow-up after positive colorectal

ACS & ACS CAN Comment Letter to ACIP for March 2026 Meeting

March 11, 2026

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are pleased to provide comments to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Our comments reflect our commitment to cancer prevention and control and focus on ensuring that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) immunization schedules are grounded in strong scientific evidence, and provide clear, actionable information to healthcare professionals, parents, and payers.

Increasing Access to Cancer Screenings for Individuals with Disabilities

September 30, 2025

For the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer – no matter how much money someone makes, the color of their skin, sexual orientat