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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How has access to affordable, comprehensive health care impacted you?

One of ACS CAN’s top priorities in 2025 and beyond will be to protect critical patient protections in the health care law and maintain access to affordable, quality health coverage. Your story can help. 

Latest Updates

November 26, 2024
National

Groups representing millions of health care professionals and patients with serious and chronic health conditions filed an amicus curiae brief in the case of Tennessee et al. v. Becerra in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

November 15, 2024
Massachusetts

Legislation will eliminate costly barriers to follow up breast cancer screening

November 6, 2024
National

South Dakota voters on Tuesday passed Amendment F, which would change the state constitution to allow for work requirements to be added to the state’s Medicaid expansion program.

October 31, 2024
South Dakota

PIERRE, SD – Ahead of Election Day next week, leaders from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the American Lung Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids express their concerns around South Dakota Initiated Measure 28, urging South Dakotans to vote “no” on the ballot measure. Introduced

Access to Health Care Resources

Our latest survey finds that protecting no-cost screenings and preventive care and reducing the burden of medical debt are the most impotant priorities for cancer patients and survivors. This survey also explores the impacts of cancer on food and nutrition insecurity, with impacts felt across income groups and coverage levels.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. No one should be disadvantaged in their fight against cancer because of income, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, or where they live. From preventive screening and early detection, through diagnosis and treatment, and into survivorship, there are several factors that influence cancer disparities among different populations across the cancer continuum.

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.