Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care

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Access to Health Care

COVID-19 has shone a spotlight on the significant barriers to affordable health care that cancer patients have long faced. While relief packages and proposals to date have worked to address affordability of COVID-specific testing and treatment, policymakers must also tackle hurdles that cancer patients face like removing the red tape of prior authorization and step therapy, reducing out-of-pocket costs, and ensuring cost-sharing assistance directly benefits patients. There has been a great deal of research and investment in effective therapies that allow people fighting cancer to survive and live longer. Cancer patients need Congress to act quickly to remove hurdles to quality care.

56% of cancer patients and survivors are worried about being able to afford their treatment

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Wisconsin Legislative Session Ends with Wins in the Fight Against Cancer

March 24, 2026
Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis . – “As lawmakers close the 2025/2026 legislative session, patient advocates are celebrating victories in the fight against cancer. After years of advocacy from volunteers, caregivers and medical professionals, we were thrilled to see the legislature pass Gail’s Law and extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to new moms. “This

Oregon House Approves Senate Bill 1527, Cervical Cancer Screening Legislation That Will Save Lives

February 25, 2026
Oregon

SALEM, Oregon -- Oregon will be the first state in the nation to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for supplemental cervical cancer screenings for residents on state-regulated insurance plans following House passage of Senate Bill 1527 on Tuesday. The vote followed unanimous approval in the Senate and awaits only Gov. Tina Kotek’s

Rural Populations Face Greater Barriers as Non-Medical Costs Hinder Clinical Trial Access

February 10, 2026
National

Today, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) was joined by 24 other organizations in proposing the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General adopt a new regulatory safe harbor from the Anti-kickback Statute that would allow clinical trial sponsors to financially support patients to offset indirect or non-medical costs associated with clinical trial participation, such as travel, parking and lodging.

Cervical Cancer Screening Legislation Will Save Lives of Oregonians 

February 2, 2026
Oregon

SALEM, Oregon –– Cervical cancer screenings save many Oregonian lives, but too often patients must make significant financial sacrifice for a full, clear diagnosis and some simply cannot afford to get to the bottom of a potentially deadly initial screening result. The Oregon Legislature has an opportunity to bridge that

Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care Resources

Comments to CMS re: Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program

September 12, 2023

ACS & ACS CAN and Partners Joint Comments on Patient Navigation Provisions of CY2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

September 8, 2023

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) along with partners appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Patient Navigation provisions of CY2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Spikes in Cost Increase the Burden of Affording Cancer Care

November 3, 2020

Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to spikes in their health care costs because many expensive diagnostic tests and treatments are scheduled within a short period of time, so cancer patients spend their deductible and out-of-pocket maximum quickly. These costs can be difficult to manage over the course of a year, and most monthly budgets simply can’t afford these large bills.