Press Room

Share

House Stimulus Package Would Expand Access to Health Coverage, Increase Medicaid Funding and Eliminate Medicare Patients’ COVID Costs

Medical Research Funding and Aid to Nonprofits Among Other Provisions

October 1, 2020

Washington, D.C.—The U.S. House of Representatives will vote tonight on a package of legislative proposals aimed at addressing numerous pandemic-related health, research and economic relief needs. The bill includes provisions that would create a two-month special enrollment period for people who are uninsured to enroll in private health coverage through the federal health exchange, and provide an increase in federal Medicaid funding to support cash-strapped states meet their residents’ growing need for health coverage. It also ensures Medicare enrollees will not face any cost sharing for COVID-19 related health expenses and provides funding for the National Institutes of Health to restart essential medical research that has been interrupted during the pandemic. 

Additionally, nonprofits of any size could apply for forgivable loans, with a maximum of up to $10 million, through the Paycheck Protection Program. Nonprofits represent the nation’s third largest employer with more than 12 million workers. 

 A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), follows:  
 
“Urgent action is needed to help millions of Americans, including many who have a history of cancer, obtain and maintain health care coverage. Being uninsured is risky at any time but is especially frightening during a pandemic. The special enrollment period and increased Medicaid funding will help ensure more people can get the care they need when they need it. 

“Eliminating COVID-19 associated cost sharing for Medicare enrollees, including for any possible vaccine, will help some of our most vulnerable citizens access and afford essential health care should they contract the virus. Even limited out-of-pocket spending can create a hardship for seniors on fixed incomes and evidence shows it can erect a barrier to received recommended care. Surviving a pandemic should not leave seniors—or anyone—saddled with insurmountable medical bills. 

“The coronavirus upended and delayed critical biomedical research and countless clinical trials. The dedicated $3 billion to restart those efforts is an important initial investment, but much more funding will eventually be necessary. 

"Enabling charities of any size to begin seeking economic assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program, will help nonprofits like the American Cancer Society continue to provide support and critical services to cancer patients throughout this crisis and beyond.  At a time when communities are increasingly seeking assistance from nonprofits to weather the health and economic impact of the pandemic, organizations like ours are struggling to stay afloat as donations have dropped dramatically. 

"On behalf of all those impacted by cancer, we call for bipartisan efforts to provide Americans the vital assistance they need to continue.” 

More Press Releases AboutCancer Research Funding, Access to Health Insurance, COVID-19, Access to Health Care, National

Media Contacts

Allison Miller
Director, Media Advocacy
Washington, D.C.
[email protected]
202-585-3241
Alissa Crispino
Vice President, Media Advocacy & Communications
Washington, D.C.
[email protected]
202-661-5772

Related Press Releases

March 21, 2024

Congress Considers FY24 Appropriations Bill That Prioritizes Cancer Research and Proven Cancer Screening Funding Amidst Difficult Budget Cycle

WASHINGTON, D.C.— March 21, 2024 — Today, Congress released a series of spending bills aimed to finalize FY2024 funding that includes a $300 million increase in funding for the National Health Institute (NIH) base budget, including a $120 million increase in discretionary funding for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a modest $500,000 increase for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cancer screening and prevention programs and maintains the current funding level for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) at $1.5 billion. At NIH, the bill also includes a first-time appropriation of $12.5 million in dedicated funding for the development of palliative care research at NIH and a new $6 million initiative for Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes. Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the bill includes a $110 million for the Prostate Cancer Research Program. 

Read More
March 24, 2023

New Jersey is taking a giant leap forward in the war against cancer. Here's how

The following originally appeared in the Asbury Park Press on March 24, 2023.

 

Read more
March 11, 2024

President’s FY25 Budget Prioritizes Funding for Cancer Research and Prevention

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is pleased to see President Biden’s continued focus on and dedication to achieving the goal of the Cancer Moonshot to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

Read more