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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Legislation Improving Prescription Drug Access Advances Days Before Crossover

February 12, 2026
Virginia

With crossover day looming, survivor advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are celebrating the passage of Senate Bill 161/House Bill 625 in their respective chambers. The same advocates gathered at the General Assembly earlier this month for ACS CAN’s annual Cancer Action Day to push for the legislation that would require insurers to offer flat-dollar copay-only plans instead of relying solely on coinsurance, which forces patients to pay a percentage of their medication’s cost. If signed by Governor Spanberger, more Virginians will gain more options and encounter fewer surprises when it comes to the cost of their care.

Mississippi Senate Passes Biomarker Testing Coverage Bill

February 11, 2026
Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Senate passed Senate Bill 2694 Wednesday, February 11, paving the way for increased access to biomarker testing for patients across the Magnolia State. Biomarker testing is a key tool used by physicians to identify the most effective treatments for cancer and other

100 organizations call for state legislature to preserve Medicaid patient access to biomarker testing

February 10, 2026
New York

This morning the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network sent a letter to Senate President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Heastie signed by 100 organizations calling for the New York State Legislature to preserve Medicaid patient access to biomarker testing by rejecting the proposed rollback of

Advocates to Lawmakers: Improve Access to Cancer Care

February 3, 2026
Ohio

As lawmakers dive into the 2026 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges legislators to prioritize passing legislation to ease the burden of cancer on Buckeyes.

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.