Access to Health Insurance

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Access to Health Care

As Congress considers changes to the Affordable Care Act, it is critically important that lawmakers maintain the patient protections that are so important to cancer patients and survivors, and ensure insurance coverage is truly affordable.  

We can never go back to the day when cancer patients couldn’t get health insurance coverage because they exceeded a lifetime limit or are denied coverage just because they survived cancer.  And, we must ensure they don’t experience any gap in their health insurance coverage and that their policies are truly affordable.

A study conducted by the American Cancer Society showed that people who are uninsured or underinsured are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at its more advanced stages when treatment is more expensive and patients are more likely to die from the disease.

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Access to Medicaid Expansion Key to South Dakota’s Fight Against Cancer

April 15, 2024
South Dakota

To mark Medicaid Awareness Month, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is shining a bright light on what Medicaid expansion means for South Dakota families in the fight against cancer and how important it is to protect access to this lifesaving coverage by encouraging South Dakotans to vote no on Amendment F in November. The work-reporting requirements proposed in Amendment F will only block hard-working South Dakotans from accessing the health care needed to live happy, healthy lives.

Closing Wyoming’s Health Coverage Gap is Key to Changing Our Fight Against Cancer

April 15, 2024
Wyoming

To mark Medicaid Awareness Month, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is shining a bright light on what expanding eligibility for the state’s Medicaid program would mean for Wyoming families in the fight against cancer. Wyoming remains one of only 10 states without Medicaid expansion.

Georgia Legislative Session Ends with Future Opportunities for Increasing Access to Health Care

March 29, 2024
Georgia

With the end of the 2024 Georgia legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is optimistic for the future of increasing access to health coverage in the Peach State and reinforces its commitment to this effort.

Palliative Care Bill a Win for South Dakota, Amendment F Looms as Possible Major Setback for Cancer Community

March 28, 2024
South Dakota

SJR 501, passed with little in the way of discussion or specifics, will be placed on the November ballot as Amendment F. ACS CAN will be part of a broad coalition of health advocacy groups opposed as similar programs in other Medicaid Expansion states have accomplished little other than stripping health care from those most in need.

Access to Health Insurance Resources

Survivor Views: Open Enrollment

February 16, 2023

Cancer patients and survivors must balance reducing their health care costs with ensuring they have comprehensive coverage of services, treatments, and care providers.

Short-Term Limited Duration Health Plans Leave Cancer Patients Vulnerable to Extremely High Out-of-Pocket Costs

June 30, 2022

Short-term limited duration (STLD) insurance plans do not provide the kind of comprehensive insurance coverage cancer patients need.  These plans were designed only as temporary coverage and are not subject to the same Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements as other health insurance products on the market.  As a result, an enrollee who was attracted to the plan’s lower premiums may find – if they are diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer – that the plan does not cover all of their necessary cancer treatments.  In these cases, the consumer can be left with catastrophic costs.

Out-of-Pocket Spending Limits Are Crucial for Cancer Patients & Survivors

January 4, 2022

Many patients with complex diseases like cancer find it difficult to afford their treatments – even when they have health insurance.  Current law establishes a limit on what most private insurance plans can require enrollees to pay in out-of-pocket costs.  These limits protect patients from extremely high costs and are essential to any health care system that works for cancer patients and survivors.