Access to Health Care

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Related Priorities

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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Ask Congress to find a bipartisan solution to improving healthcare

Join us in pressing Congress to continue working toward a bipartisan solution that reduces healthcare costs for patients and survivors while providing true access to the cancer care they need.

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Latest Updates

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Survey: Cancer Patients, Including New Yorkers, Increasingly Face COVID-19 Health Impact

May 27, 2020
New York

A new survey shows that cancer patients are being impacted by COVID-19.

Public Health Groups Urge Oklahomans to Vote ‘Yes’ on Question 802 on June 30

May 20, 2020
Oklahoma

Untold insecurities weigh heavily on many Oklahomans, and on June 30, voters can ease some of that worry by voting ‘yes’ on State Question 802.

House Stimulus Package Would Expand Access to Health Coverage, Provide Relief for Nonprofits that Serve Patients

May 15, 2020
National

Today the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Heroes Act, a package of legislative proposals aimed at addressing numerous pandemic-related health, research and economic relief needs. Included in the bill are several provisions that would make it easier for Americans to maintain or gain health insurance coverage.

20 Patient Groups Urge Supreme Court to Uphold Health Care Law

May 13, 2020
National

Twenty patient groups representing millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions filed an amicus curiae (“friend-of-the-court”) brief today with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case California v. Texas ( previously Texas v. United States) , citing the devastating impact patients would face should the court rule to invalidate the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Access to Health Care Resources

Infographic: Coverage Counts in the Cancer Fight

March 24, 2017

Reducing the cancer burden depends on access to meaningful health coverage for all Americans. ACS CAN created an infographic to help illustrate the difference between having access to affordable, adequate coverage and facing barriers to care when facing a cancer diagnosis.

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Understanding Health Insurance (ACS)

September 30, 2016

Resources and information from the American Cancer Society about understanding health insurance, particularly for cancer patients and survivors.

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Cancer Information Services (HIAS/NCIC)

September 30, 2016

The American Cancer Society operates a call center available to all cancer patients and their families, that includes resources and specialists who can help patients with questions about health insurance, enrolling in a plan, and issues accessing care.

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