Updates matching "Access to Health Care"

Cancer patients trying to select the best health insurance plan through the market places continue to face challenges in determining prescription drug coverage and cost-sharing information in prospective coverage, according to analysis released today by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule changing regulations for Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance plans. Of particular concern to those affected by cancer are proposed changes to special enrollment periods and essential community provider requirements that are included in available insurance plans.

Requiring people to maintain continuous health insurance coverage or risk the imposition of higher premiums could pose significant burdens to cancer patients and survivors, according to Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society.

Today the House took the first step in repealing the Affordable Care Act, following Senate action earlier this week. As the process moves ahead, we urge lawmakers to craft a replacement plan that is immediately available and provides equal or better coverage for cancer patients and survivors.

Several of the nation’s leading patient organizations sent a letter to Congress today stressing the importance of protecting guaranteed access to comprehensive and affordable insurance coverage for patients with pre-existing health conditions.

States would likely face increased costs and cancer patients and survivors could face delayed preventive, diagnostic and curative care under alternative Medicaid financing models being considered by Congress. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) today sent a letter detailing the organization’s concerns to select governors...