Access to Health Care

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.

Latest Updates

November 15, 2023
Mississippi

For cancer patients and survivors caught in the coverage gap, we know access to health care means comprehensive coverage for cessation and other resources to help Mississippians with limited incomes successfully quit smoking, but it also means access to screening, medications, and life-saving treatment.

November 10, 2023

The case of Texas v. Mayorkas challenges a policy of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that interprets the “public charge” rule in a way that helps ensure that immigrants can access Medicaid without causing harmful immigration consequences. ACS CAN and other public health partners

October 30, 2023
National

A new national poll reveals that patients are counting on lawmakers to solve the medical debt crisis. U.S. adults say it is past time for federal and state policymakers to act.

October 27, 2023
Texas

A coalition of the country’s leading public health advocacy organizations filed a friend-of-the-court brief in Texas v. Mayorkas in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas to urge the court to uphold the Biden administration’s 2022 “public charge” policy. Amici include American Cancer Society; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN); American Lung Association; CancerCare; Epilepsy Foundation; Hemophilia Federation of America; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Muscular Dystrophy Association; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; National Patient Advocate Foundation; and Susan G. Komen.

Access to Health Care Resources

ACS CAN partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and RIP Medical Debt to conduct a national survey on the impacts of medical debt and high health care costs. Read the full results.

ACS CAN teamed up with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and RIP Medical Debt to conduct a national survey on the impacts of medical debt and high health care costs. Read a summary of the results.

Half of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) cancer patients and survivors report they are concerned about facing discrimination in a health care setting. More than one-third have experienced discrimination in a healthcare setting, with significant impacts on their care.