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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Hundreds of Cancer Advocates Gather in D.C. to Urge Congress to Sustain Vital Research and Prevention Funding

September 15, 2025
National

As the September 30th government funding deadline nears, more than 700 cancer patients, survivors and advocates from every corner of the United States, including Washington, D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico, are heading to Capitol Hill to make their voices heard. They will ask lawmakers to prioritize cancer research and prevention programs, along with other proven cancer-fighting policies, highlighting the real-life impact these investments have on patients, families and communities nationwide.

Nearly 750 cancer advocates are uniting in the nation’s capital to fight cancer

September 8, 2025

In just a few days, nearly 750 cancer advocates will arrive in Washington, D.C. to participate in ACS CAN’s annual Leadership Summit & Lobby Day (LS&LD), a 3-day event where volunteers meet with their congressional delegation to advocate for critical cancer issues. But the event is also an all-encompassing opportunity

Medicaid Waiver Damaging to Montanans’ Health, Erases Good Work of State Lawmakers

August 18, 2025
Montana

HELENA, Mont. -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) registered strong objections to Montana’s Medicaid 1115 waiver request today in comments filed with the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services. Approval of the waiver would make Montana an early adopter of new federal Medicaid provisions

Legislation Introduced in NYC Council to Promote Workers’ Access to Cancer Prevention through Paid Time Off for Screening

August 14, 2025
New York

Earlier today, a new bill was introduced in the New York City Council to improve New Yorkers’ access to cancer screening. Int. #1369-2025 will require all private employers with a staff of five or more to grant employees paid time off—up to five hours annually—for preventative medical care, including doctor-recommend screening, ensuring that fear of wage or job loss does not serve as a barrier to workers’ ability to prevent, detect and ultimately survive cancer.

Access to Health Care Resources

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.

Trapped: America's Crippling Medical Debt Crisis

October 30, 2023

ACS CAN teamed up 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 a summary of the results.