Access to Health Care

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Every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care. From cancer screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies to the latest breakthroughs in treatment, everyone should have access to the care that could prevent cancer and save their life.  In addition, ensuring that low-income working families have access to affordable health insurance is proven to reduce overall health care costs. 

We are working in every state and in Congress to expand health care options and protect existing laws that help patients get true access to the care they need. 

People without health insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a late stage, when the disease is harder to treat, more costly and more difficult to survive.

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Cancer Patient in Treatment
National

Tell Congress To Pass The DIVERSE Trials Act To Expand Access To Clinical Trials And The Latest Advancements In Treatment

The DIVERSE Trials Act would make it easier for cancer patients everywhere to participate in clinical trials while removing barriers that are known to keep certain racial and ethnic groups, older adults, rural residents, and those with limited incomes from being appropriately represented. 

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Pennsylvania Prioritizes Access to Care for Cancer Patients

November 3, 2022
Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, PA – November 3, 2022 –Earlier today, Governor Wolf signed legislation to improve access to care for cancer patients across the state. Senate Bill 225, now Act 146, is a vital new law that will curb restrictive prior authorization and step therapy practices imposed by health insurers. Prior authorization

Opinion: Medicaid expansion is popular – and necessary

October 27, 2022
Wisconsin

This opinion originally ran in Wausau Pilot & Review. By Philip R. O’Brien, national member of the ACS CAN Board of Directors In the Badger State, we have a proud tradition of taking care of each other when our friends and neighbors are struggling. It’s the Wisconsin

More Families to Afford Health Care Thanks to Rule Ending the ‘Family Glitch’

October 11, 2022
National

A final rule released today will fix the so-called ‘family glitch’ in the Affordable Care Act. The change would allow the total premium cost of all family members covered under an employer sponsored insurance plan to be considered when determining if the coverage is affordable rather than restricting the calculation to the cost for the employee only.

Recent poll finds Kansas voters approve of Medicaid expansion

October 10, 2022
Kansas

This article originally ran on WIBW . TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - A recent poll has found that Kansas voters highly approve of Medicaid expansion. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network says on Monday, Oct. 10, it released a poll that shows strong support among registered

Access to Health Care Resources

The Costs of Cancer in the Hispanic/Latino Community

October 19, 2022

Hispanic/Latino people facing cancer and survivors experience high costs, and are more likely than White counterparts to be uninsured and experience serious financial hardship.

Congress Must Prioritize Affordable Cancer Care in the Budget Reconciliation Package

May 20, 2022

In a recent poll, 51% of cancer patients and survivors report incurring medical debt as a result of their cancer care.

ACS CAN Supports the DIVERSE Trials Act (H.R. 5030/S. 2706)

September 2, 2021

The DIVERSE Trials Act (H.R. 5030/S. 2706) could increase racial, socioeconomic and geographic diversity in clinical trials and make it easier for all cancer patients to participate.