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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Lawmakers to Address Cost of Prescriptions Drugs for Cancer Patients and Others with Chronic Disease

March 27, 2023
Rhode Island

Rhode Island lawmakers have taken the first step towards ensuring cancer patients and others with chronic disease are protected from excessive prescription drug costs.

Lance Kilpatrick Joins American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to Lead Government Relations in Maryland, Delaware & D.C.

March 27, 2023
Delaware, District Of Columbia, Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD – MARCH 27, 2023 – Lance Kilpatrick has joined the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) as the Government Relations Director in Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. In this role, Kilpatrick will lead ACS CAN’s efforts to advance legislation and public policies to reduce cancer. “Cancer

Iowa cancer patients shouldn't be at risk of losing Medicaid

March 27, 2023
Iowa

Iowa is losing its battle with cancer. According to the Cancer in Iowa report , Iowa is the only state with a significant increase in cancer incidence from 2015 to 2019, and has the second-highest overall cancer incidence of all U.S. states. What is our state government doing about

North Carolina Becomes 40th State to Expand Medicaid, In Swift Final Vote by House

March 23, 2023
North Carolina

RALEIGH, NC – March 23, 2022 – On the 13th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, the North Carolina legislature today – in a 87-24 vote – voted to expand Medicaid, making North Carolina the 40th state to increase eligibility for Medicaid health coverage and one of the first

Access to Health Care Resources

Medicaid Funding Caps are a Barrier to Care for Cancer Patients & Survivors

March 13, 2023

ACS CAN opposes per capita caps, block grants, and other capped funding structures for the Medicaid program, as they endanger access to care.

Medicaid Work or Community Engagement Requirements Could Harm People with Cancer and Cancer Survivors

March 13, 2023

ACS CAN strongly opposes any attempt by the federal government or states to condition Medicaid coverage on work or community engagement.

Survivor Views: Open Enrollment

February 16, 2023

Cancer patients and survivors must balance reducing their health care costs with ensuring they have comprehensive coverage of services, treatments, and care providers.