Statement of the American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association
WASHINGTON – November 14, 2011 – The nation’s leading groups representing patients and families living with cancer, diabetes, heart disease or stroke issued the following statement today in response to the announcement that the U.S. Supreme Court will consider the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.
The American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association filed as amici curiae in multiple federal courts of appeal in support of the constitutionality of the law.
Following is a statement from the four organizations that filed the amicus brief:
“Our organizations, which represent tens of millions of people across the country who are living with cancer, diabetes, heart disease or stroke, welcome the Court’s announcement and hope that it will uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act to ensure that patients with life-threatening chronic diseases can access the law’s critical protections.
“Our organizations believe that patient protections, including those that end discrimination in the insurance market against people with pre-existing conditions, rely on the individual responsibility requirement. These provisions significantly improve the health care system for chronic disease patients and their families by expanding access to quality, affordable health care; reducing the cost burden on families; and refocusing the system to emphasize prevention.
“For decades our organizations have worked to expand access to health care nationwide and to boost our nation’s emphasis on disease prevention and management. As any patient knows, chronic disease strikes people without regard for their opinions or political persuasion. We are optimistic that timely review by the nation’s highest court will help to mitigate confusion and allow implementation to continue in a way that supports and strengthens provisions of the law that enable patients with chronic diseases to access quality, affordable health care.”
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; by helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
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.
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases – two of America’s leading killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit heart.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steven Weiss, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
202-661-5711; [email protected]
Colleen Fogarty, American Diabetes Association
703-549-1500 ext. 2146; [email protected]
Retha Sherrod, American Heart Association
202-785-7929; [email protected]
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