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

September 13, 2023
National

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), ACS’ advocacy affiliate, continues to promote policies that expand sustainable access to patient navigation to better support cancer patients. As part of this effort, ACS CAN is urging CMS to finalize a proposed policy as part of a recent payment rule that would allow Medicare to implement a reimbursement strategy that will ensure payment for patient navigation services delivered by professionally trained and certified navigators. ACS CAN also joined with patient and provider groups in a second letter to emphasize the critical importance of navigation reimbursement to facilitating this critical service.

September 11, 2023
National

Late Friday, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) issued a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) commenting on the proposed rule for the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

September 11, 2023
National

Late Friday, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) issued a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Labor and Internal Revenue Service commenting on the short-term, limited duration (STLD) insurance rule proposed by the Tri-Agencies in July.

September 7, 2023
Georgia

Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold new public policies that promote cancer prevention, early detection of cancer, and expand access to quality, affordable health care. Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of Georgia residents impacted by cancer and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease.

Access to Health Care Resources

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.

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

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