Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care

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Access to Healthcare

COVID-19 has shone a spotlight on the significant barriers to affordable health care that cancer patients have long faced. While relief packages and proposals to date have worked to address affordability of COVID-specific testing and treatment, policymakers must also tackle hurdles that cancer patients face like removing the red tape of prior authorization and step therapy, reducing out-of-pocket costs, and ensuring cost-sharing assistance directly benefits patients. There has been a great deal of research and investment in effective therapies that allow people fighting cancer to survive and live longer. Cancer patients need Congress to act quickly to remove hurdles to quality care.

56% of cancer patients and survivors are worried about being able to afford their treatment

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Washington Lawmakers Missed Opportunity to Protect Access to Cancer Prevention, Detection Resources  

April 27, 2026
Washington

OLYMPIA, Wash. – – Washington residents continue to face soaring health insurance costs and hundreds of thousands are at risk of losing life-saving coverage this year following changes to Medicaid. The Washington Legislature didn’t do enough to help that situation in its 2026 session and too many in the state

House Bill 648 Brings Oral Chemotherapy Fairness to Idaho, A Hopeful Step for Cancer Patients  

April 14, 2026
Idaho

BOISE, Idaho –– More Idaho cancer patients will have easier and more affordable access to oral chemotherapy drugs thanks to House Bill 648, passed by the Idaho Legislature and signed into law this session by Gov. Brad Little. The bill requires state-regulated health insurance plans to equalize out-of-pocket costs between

Wisconsin Legislative Session Ends with Wins in the Fight Against Cancer

March 24, 2026
Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis . – “As lawmakers close the 2025/2026 legislative session, patient advocates are celebrating victories in the fight against cancer. After years of advocacy from volunteers, caregivers and medical professionals, we were thrilled to see the legislature pass Gail’s Law and extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to new moms. “This

Oregon House Approves Senate Bill 1527, Cervical Cancer Screening Legislation That Will Save Lives

February 25, 2026
Oregon

SALEM, Oregon -- Oregon will be the first state in the nation to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for supplemental cervical cancer screenings for residents on state-regulated insurance plans following House passage of Senate Bill 1527 on Tuesday. The vote followed unanimous approval in the Senate and awaits only Gov. Tina Kotek’s

Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care Resources

High Deductible Health Plans Cause Extreme Spikes in Cost

November 3, 2020

Most patients experience spikes in their health care costs around the time of a cancer diagnosis as they pay their deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. For patients on high deductible plans, this spike can mean bills due for several thousands of dollars within one month.

Overall Cancer Costs are Rising

November 3, 2020

The U.S. spent approximately $183 billion on cancer-related health care in 2015. This represents a signification portion of the total health care spending in the U.S. And it is expected to keep growing. By 2030 cancer-related health care spending is expected to reach nearly $246 billion.

Some Patients Lack Access to Lower-cost Drug Alternatives

November 3, 2020

Many cancer patients take multiple drugs as part of their treatment – often for many months or years. While drugs are not the only costly part of cancer treatment, finding ways to reduce these costs for patients and payers will significantly reduce the overall cost burden of cancer.