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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Access to health care

U.S. House considering including ACS CAN provisions in wide-ranging bill

Ask Congress to pass our proposals that reduce the cost of health insurance and cap prescription drug out-of-pocket expenses for millions of cancer patients and survivors. 

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Latest Updates

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Missouri Supreme Court Overturns Circuit Court Ruling on Medicaid Expansion

July 22, 2021

The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit to force the state to implement Medicaid expansion. The following is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).

Bill Introduced in US House of Representatives Extends Medicaid Coverage in US Territories

July 15, 2021

U.S. Reps. Darren Soto (D-FL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced bipartisan legislation that will be considered by the House Energy and Commerce Committee today to extend funding for Medicaid in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The legislation is supported by House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA).

Amicus Brief Filed in Medicaid Expansion Lawsuit

June 30, 2021
Missouri

Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Government Relations Director Emily Kalmer Jefferson City, MO - “ Health and patient advocacy groups filed an amicus curiae (or friend-of-the-court) brief today in the Missouri Supreme Court, noting the vital role that the implementation of expanded eligibility

Twenty-Two Health Groups Submit Amicus Brief in Medicaid Expansion Lawsuit

June 30, 2021
Missouri

Jefferson City, MO – Health and patient advocacy groups submitted an amicus curiae (or friend-of-the-court) brief today, supported by Missouri-based health economists and law professors, in the Missouri Supreme Court, noting the vital role that the implementation of expanded eligibility for Medicaid would have in the lives

Access to Health Care Resources

Telehealth for People Living with and Beyond Cancer

November 9, 2020

Telehealth visits that enable providers to deliver clinical services from a distance using options like video conferencing and remote monitoring can provide cancer patients and survivors with a convenient means of accessing both cancer care and primary care.

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Cancer Biomarker Testing

July 22, 2020

Advances in precision medicine have led to targeted cancer therapies that have improved patient outcomes and quality of life within populations of cancer patients with very specific biomarkers. Testing patients for cancer biomarkers is integral to identify those who may benefit from targeted therapy. Despite the importance of such testing, many cancer patients are not tested for biomarkers. This fact sheet highlights recent advancements in targeted cancer therapies and data from ACS CAN Survivor Views surveys of cancer patients and survivors assessing barriers to biomarker testing.  

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Patient Assistance Programs & Discount Coupons

May 28, 2020

Many cancer patients have difficulty affording the cost of their prescription drugs, regardless of whether they are insured.  This is especially true for newer drugs that do not have a generic equivalent.  Many programs exist to help patients afford their medication.  This fact sheet focuses on two of these – patient assistance programs and discount coupons.  

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