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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Ann Riley Pink Tea for Cancer Awareness Happening Thursday

October 7, 2025
South Carolina

Columbia, S.C. – Join the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) as we celebrate and remember those who’ve faced breast and cervical cancer at the annual Ann Riley Pink Tea on Thursday, October 9 at 10 a.m. The annual event, named for former First Lady Ann

Tim Freeman Receives Professional Achievement Award for Outstanding Grassroots Efforts in Cancer Advocacy

October 1, 2025
Missouri

Washington, D.C., – Tim Freeman was awarded Grassroots Professional of the Year by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for his outstanding work in grassroots organizing in support of our mission to make cancer a national priority. This annual award is given to an ACS CAN staff

Emory Lights of Hope to Honor Lives Touched by Cancer

September 30, 2025
Georgia

ATLANTA – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is partnering with students at Emory University to host a Lights of Hope Night of Remembrance and Advocacy on Wednesday, October 1, to honor lives touched by cancer and champion the urgent need for continued investment in funding

State Sen. Steve Livingston Pre-Files SB19 to Expand Coverage for Cancer Screenings

September 24, 2025
Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Patient advocacy groups including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and ZERO Prostate Cancer applaud Alabama State Sen. Steve Livingston for pre-filing Senate Bill 19 , which eliminates cost sharing for lifesaving prostate cancer screenings for those covered by state-regulated insurance. The

Access to Health Care Resources

Cancer Biomarker Testing

July 22, 2020

Advances in precision medicine have led to targeted cancer therapies that have improved patient outcomes and quality of life within populations of cancer patients with very specific biomarkers. Testing patients for cancer biomarkers is integral to identify those who may benefit from targeted therapy. Despite the importance of such testing, many cancer patients are not tested for biomarkers. This fact sheet highlights recent advancements in targeted cancer therapies and data from ACS CAN Survivor Views surveys of cancer patients and survivors assessing barriers to biomarker testing.  

Comments to CMS Regarding National Coverage Decision for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Panels

June 2, 2019

ACS CAN responded to the reopening of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) coverage decision for NGS testing panels.

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