Statement from Christopher W. Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 3, 2011 – The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill aimed at defunding grants that are meant to help states to set up health benefit exchanges. Following is a statement from ACS CAN President Christopher W. Hansen:
“Pulling funds for federal grants that are enabling states to develop health benefit exchanges will delay efforts to provide affordable, adequate options for cancer patients who have historically faced barriers to access because of pre-existing condition exclusions.
“The exchanges have the capacity to empower people to compare health plans and choose the one that is best for them. Cutting this funding would deny millions of Americans, including cancer patients and their families, the benefit of an informed choice when making important health coverage decisions.
“On behalf of people with cancer and their families nationwide, ACS CAN urges lawmakers to oppose this bill and instead to work to implement this and other critical patient protections as effectively as possible.”
ACS CAN joined the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association and several other patient and consumer groups to submit a joint letter to lawmakers encouraging them to vote against a bill to defund health benefit exchange funding.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Alissa Havens or Steven Weiss
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
202-661-5772 or 202-661-5711
[email protected] or [email protected]
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