Access to Health Insurance

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As Congress considers changes to the Affordable Care Act, and as recently passed cuts to affordable health care take effect, we are committed to safeguarding the patient protections that are so important to cancer patients and survivors, and ensuring 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.

Latest Updates

September 14, 2026
Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. – Sara Sahli was recognized as the country’s top government relations professional by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in honor of her exceptional work advocating for cancer-fighting public policies. ACS CAN presents the award to a staff person who has consistently demonstrated outstanding

August 18, 2026
Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. – A recent poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shows 81% of Wisconsin voters believe all Americans, regardless of the type of health insurance they have, should have access to affordable cancer screening and treatment close to home. Further, in the poll, 63%

August 13, 2026
Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. – A recent poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shows 82% of Kansas voters believe all Americans, regardless of the type of health insurance they have, should have access to affordable cancer screening and treatment close to home. This attitude is also

August 13, 2026
North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. – August 13, 2026 – A recent poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shows 84% of North Carolina voters believe all Americans, regardless of the type of health insurance they have, should have access to affordable cancer screening and treatment close to home.

Access to Health Insurance Resources

In our latest survey, cancer patients and survivors overwhelmingly support extending financial assistance for people who purchase health coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace by a margin of nearly 12 to 1 (72% support, 6% oppose). The survey also finds 43% would not be able to afford their plan without the enhanced tax credits, 30% would skip or delay medical care to reduce expenses, and 24% would accumulate medical debt to afford their care.

Having affordable and comprehensive health insurance coverage is a key determinant for surviving cancer.

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