Access to Health Insurance

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As Congress considers changes to the Affordable Care Act, it is critically important that lawmakers maintain the patient protections that are so important to cancer patients and survivors, and ensure insurance coverage is truly affordable.  

We can never go back to the day when cancer patients couldn’t get health insurance coverage because they exceeded a lifetime limit or are denied coverage just because they survived cancer.  And, we must ensure they don’t experience any gap in their health insurance coverage and that their policies are truly affordable.

A study conducted by the American Cancer Society showed that people who are uninsured or underinsured are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at its more advanced stages when treatment is more expensive and patients are more likely to die from the disease.

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The fight to protect Medicaid isn't over.

The House recently passed a bill to drastically cut Medicaid, but it's not over yet. Urge your Senator to VOTE NO and protect Medicaid for cancer patients now.

Latest Updates

May 30, 2025
Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A broad coalition of Tennessee advocacy organizations including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will hold a news conference in front of the offices of Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty on Tuesday, June 3, at 11 a.m. at the Fred D. Thompson U.S.

May 27, 2025

For over 20 years, Ali spent much of her time caring for others as a nurse and a single mother of two. When Ali started feeling ill in 2021, she knew her symptoms were indicative of a larger issue. Ali voiced her concerns to her doctor but was dismissed. What

May 21, 2025
Utah

Tuesday, Utah advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) delivered nearly 1,000 petitions signed by constituents to Sen. John Curtis’ district office in Salt Lake City, urging him to protect Medicaid by opposing any cuts to the program. The postcards highlighted how looming cuts to Medicaid would harm Utahns, including working families, cancer patients and survivors, pregnant women, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans and children.

May 19, 2025
National

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the reconciliation bill this week which includes drastic, $715 billion cuts to Medicaid that will result in at least 8.6 million people losing health insurance coverage, including cancer patients and survivors.

Access to Health Insurance Resources

Our latest survey finds that 86% of those receiving enhanced premium tax credits would have difficulty getting care if the credits expire at the end of 2025, and very few (25%) are aware of the enhanced credits expiring.

In our latest survey, cancer patients and survivors overwhelmingly support extending financial assistance for people who purchase health coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace by a margin of nearly 12 to 1 (72% support, 6% oppose). The survey also finds 43% would not be able to afford their plan without the enhanced tax credits, 30% would skip or delay medical care to reduce expenses, and 24% would accumulate medical debt to afford their care.

Having affordable and comprehensive health insurance coverage is a key determinant for surviving cancer.