Health Insurance Affordability

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Access to affordable health insurance is a key factor for surviving cancer. Individuals who are uninsured or who cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs for their insurance are less likely to get screened for cancer and therefore less likely to survive a cancer diagnosis.  

Through the Affordable Care Act, those with lower incomes who purchase health insurance plans on the Marketplace receive tax credits to help make plans more affordable.  The tax credits were later expanded to provide more individuals with financial assistance to help them afford their health insurance plans. 

These enhanced tax credits led to record enrollment in Marketplace plans and have provided millions with a path to affordable, comprehensive coverage to be able to prevent, detect and treat cancer. Unless Congress acts and makes the ACA enhanced tax credits permanent, affordability will become a barrier to lifesaving cancer screening, early detection, treatment and follow-up care, with costs skyrocketing for more than 24 million people.  

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Shagah video still soft smile

Time is running out for Congress to extend health care tax credits

Shagah, recently diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time, needs Congress to extend enhanced health care tax credits to help her afford her care and stay alive. Urge your members to help keep care within reach for cancer patients like Shagah today.

Latest Updates

December 19, 2025
National

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With Congress done for the year without extending the enhanced premium tax credits that are set to expire on December 31, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges members of the Senate and the House to prioritize the health and wellbeing of their

December 10, 2025
National

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the deadline approaches for people to enroll in Marketplace coverage that starts January 1, 2026, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is urging the Senate and the House to come together in a bipartisan way to pass legislation extending the enhanced premium

December 2, 2025
National

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) today released results from a survey exploring the impact of the enhanced premium tax credits on cancer patients and survivors who rely on the Marketplace for comprehensive health insurance coverage.

October 14, 2025
North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. - More than 2.5 million North Carolinians had over $6.5 billion in medical debt relieved this week, fulfilling the promise of the state’s plan to engage hospitals in a program to relieve medical debt and institute policies to prevent patients from incurring additional debt. By participating,

Health Insurance Affordability Resources

Our latest Survivor Views survey finds nearly three in four cancer patients and survivors who rely on the marketplace for comprehensive coverage stand to lose access to lifesaving care if the enhanced premium tax credits are not extended. Additionally, one quarter of those who rely on the enhanced health care tax credits report that if the credits expire, they will become uninsured or forced into a non-comprehensive "junk" plan.

There have been a number of changes to Marketplace Open Enrollment for plan year 2026. This factsheet is designed to help consumers as they navigate their options. 

This factsheet explains what health care tax credits (also known as "enhanced tax credits") are and why Congress needs to extend them before they expire at the end of the year.