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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Gov. Baker Proclaims January “Cervical Cancer Awareness Month” in Massachusetts

January 23, 2020
Massachusetts

BOSTON – Gov. Charlie Baker has officially proclaimed January “Cervical Cancer Awareness Month” in Massachusetts. The proclamation was issued at the request of Charlestown’s Kate Weissman, a cervical cancer survivor and advocacy volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “Over 4,000 women in the U.S. each

Improving Access to Health Care in Illinois Tops American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s List of 2020 Legislative Priorities

January 21, 2020
Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – January 21, 2020 – As lawmakers dive into the new year, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is pursuing legislation that will ease the burden of cancer in Illinois. The latest edition of the ACS CAN’s How Do You Measure Up? report

Patient Groups Disappointed by Ongoing Uncertainty in Wake of Supreme Court’s Decision Not to Expedite Health Care Case

January 21, 2020
National

Patient and health advocacy groups representing millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions are disappointed over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today not to immediately take up the case of Texas v. United States.

Patient Groups Urge Supreme Court to Swiftly Take Up Health Care Case

January 15, 2020
National

Patient and health advocacy groups representing millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions filed an amicus curiae or friend of the court brief today urging the U.S. Supreme Court to immediately take up the case of Texas v. United States. The case is the latest court challenge to the health care law known as the Affordable Care Act.

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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