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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National

Cuts to Medicaid Would Hurt Cancer Patients

1 in 3 children with cancer and 1 in 10 adults with a history of cancer rely on Medicaid for their care. Yet some in Congress want to make massive, rushed cuts to this lifesaving program that hardworking people in American count on for critical health care.

Contact your Member of Congress today

Latest Updates

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Courage in Action: Cancer Survivors Unite at State Capitol to Advocate for Change

April 29, 2025
Ohio

Cancer Advocates Gathered at the Statehouse Today to Say Ohio Can and Must Do Better to Reduce the Burden of Cancer

Big Wins Against Cancer: Advocates Celebrate Successful 2025 North Dakota Session, Await Signature on Co-Pay Accumulators

April 21, 2025
North Dakota

BISMARCK, ND -– North Dakota legislators made strong moves against cancer this session, passing bills on prior authorization reform and co-pay accumulator adjustments. The last of those bills – House Bill 1216 – passed the ND Senate on Monday and awaits Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s signature. Advocates of the American Cancer

Legislature Passes New Protections for Washingtonians Facing Medical Debt, Health Care Advocates Await Governor’s Signature

April 11, 2025
Washington

OLYMPIA, Wash. --– Washington residents facing financial barriers because of medical debt stand to benefit if two bills passed by the legislature this week are signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson. Leading patient organizations, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and The Leukemia & Lymphoma

House Members Must Stand up for Cancer Patients and Their Families by Protecting Medicaid from Cuts in Latest Budget Proposal 

April 9, 2025
National

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a budget resolution that could lead to devastating cuts to Medicaid.

Access to Health Care Resources

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.

Impacts of Medical Debt: Findings from a National Survey

October 30, 2023

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.