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.

Take Action

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Medicaid is under attack.

Nearly 80 million people in America rely on Medicaid for their health coverage, including millions of cancer patients. Sign the petition today urging Congress to oppose cuts to this lifesaving program.

Latest Updates

February 10, 2025
Montana

HELENA, Montana – House Bill 245 was approved today by the Montana House of Representatives, a crucial and promising step for legislation that will remove the sunset clause on Montana Medicaid expansion, assuring that tens of thousands state residents continue to have access to life-saving health care. “This is obviously

February 7, 2025
Arizona

Volunteer advocates from across Arizona, including cancer survivors, patients and caregivers, rallied at the state Capitol on Thursday for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ an event hosted annually by the the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Advocates met with lawmakers and urged them to support policies that increase access to quality health care and prevent tobacco use.

February 6, 2025
Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis . – Just one month into the legislative session, patients from across Wisconsin, as well as the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the American Lung Association– two of Wisconsin’s leading patient advocacy organizations – are urging Wisconsin lawmakers to advance legislation that would extend

February 5, 2025
Pennsylvania

Governor Josh Shapiro presented his state budget to the legislature yesterday, outlining his vision for the coming fiscal year. In his budget address, Governor Shapiro proposed to maintain funding for key cancer prevention and detection programs and acknowledged health care costs and price transparency as a continued area of interest, which secured high praise from patient advocates concerned over the role cancer plays in limiting Pennsylvanians’ financial mobility. Advocates are hopeful that the budget negotiation process yields progress on additional health care affordability issues, including Pennsylvanians’ access to paid leave, medical debt relief and lifesaving medications.

Access to Health Care Resources

ACS CAN has long fought for public policies that support the availability and affordability of medically necessary prescription drugs. 

ACS CAN submitted comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau strongly supporting the proposal to prohibit medical debt from appearing on credit reports.

A critical factor for eliminating disparities and ensuring health equity is the guarantee that all people have access to quality, affordable health care.