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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**MEDIA ADVISORY—SPOKESPERSON AVAILABLE** Advocates to Gather Under Gold Dome for World Cancer Day

January 30, 2026
Georgia

ATLANTA – Advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will gather under the Gold Dome on Wednesday, February 4, to mark World Cancer Day and advocate for improved access to care in the Peach State. Volunteers will be in various parts of the Capitol from

South Dakota House Affirms Importance of Access to Care, Defeats HJR 5002

January 29, 2026
South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. –– The importance of South Dakotans having access to quality, affordable health care was affirmed Thursday when the House of Representatives voted against moving House Joint Resolution 5002 forward, killing the latest attempt to repeal Medicaid expansion and showing respect for the will of the voters who initiated

Mississippi House Passes 'Jill's Law' for Biomarker Testing Coverage

January 28, 2026
Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi House passed House Bill 565 Wednesday, 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 diseases. “In

Bills Increasing Access to Crucial Cancer Care Pass Alabama House Committee

January 28, 2026
Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama House Insurance Committee passed multiple bills Wednesday that would increase access to crucial cancer care for Alabamians with state-regulated health insurance plans. The first two, House Bill 40 and Senate Bill 19 , would eliminate cost sharing for lifesaving prostate cancer

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.