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

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

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

September 26, 2025
Florida

“For cancer patients, these health care tax credits are a lifeline that enables access to timely, life-saving treatments,” said Susan Harbin, Senior Government Relations Director for ACS CAN Florida and recent Field Government Relations Professional of the Year.

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

Access to Health Insurance Resources

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped individuals with pre-existing conditions like cancer access comprehensive health insurance and afford their care. But the law is at risk of being dismantled.

This ACS CAN report focuses specifically on the costs of cancer borne by patients in active treatment as well as survivors.  It examines the factors contributing to the cost of cancer care, the type of direct costs patients pay, and the indirect costs associated with cancer.

Current federal requirements prohibit health insurance plans from denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions like cancer.  These are one of several important patient protections that must be part of any health care system that works for cancer patients.