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.

Take Action

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National

Urge your Senators to vote NO on Medicaid cuts.

“There’s so much stigma around Medicaid, but the reality is, it’s a lifeline.” Support cancer patients like Josh by urging your Senator to vote NO on an upcoming bill that will kick nearly 11 million people off of their health insurance and raise health care costs for everyone.

Urge your Senator to vote NO

Latest Updates

See More Updates

Colorado Health Advocates Sound Alarm on Looming Medicaid Cuts Ahead of Critical Congressional Vote

June 17, 2025
Colorado

Health advocates from across Colorado expressed concerns Tuesday morning during a virtual press conference hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) over the impact looming Medicaid cuts and changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace will have on Coloradans, specifically cancer patients, and the state’s rural population.

Urgent Call from Patient Advocates to New York State Assembly: Pass Paid Leave Reform before Adjourning for Summer

June 11, 2025
New York

“With just days left in the legislative session, the New York State Assembly must not leave Albany without reforming the state’s inadequate Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program--for the second year in a row."

New Report: Over 1.2 Million Cancer Survivors Alive Today in New York

June 4, 2025
New York

According to a new report released last week by the American Cancer Society, the number of people living with a history of cancer in the United States is estimated at 18.6 million and projected to exceed 22 million by 2035. The new report also revealed that, in New York State, there are over 1.2 million cancer survivors alive today. The findings come at the start of National Cancer Survivors Month, which brought cancer survivors and advocates to the New York State Capitol earlier today to honor the lives touched by cancer and remind state lawmakers of the difference they can make in the fight against the disease.

New York Lawmakers Remove Barriers to Lung Cancer Screening, Passing A1195-A / S2000-A

May 29, 2025
New York

Earlier today, the New York State Senate voted to remove barriers to lung cancer screening in New York State, passing critical legislation to better equip New Yorkers to detect and treat lung cancer. S2000-A / A1195-A ensures comprehensive insurance coverage for lung cancer screening and eliminates cost sharing for recommended lung cancer screening, follow-up scans and diagnostic tests for asymptomatic individuals by all payers in the state.

Access to Health Care Resources

Addressing Cancer Disparities in LGBTQ+ Communities

March 20, 2024

A critical factor for eliminating disparities and ensuring health equity is the guarantee that all people have access to quality, affordable health care.

Survivor Views: Preventive Care Coverage, Medical Debt, & Food Insecurity

February 14, 2024

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.

Factors Influencing Cancer Disparities

January 11, 2024

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.