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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Lawmakers to Address Cost of Prescriptions Drugs for Cancer Patients and Others with Chronic Disease

March 27, 2023
Rhode Island

Rhode Island lawmakers have taken the first step towards ensuring cancer patients and others with chronic disease are protected from excessive prescription drug costs.

State Senate Passes Bill Aiming to Expand New Jerseyans’ Access to Colorectal Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Screenings

December 19, 2022
New Jersey

TRENTON, NJ – DECEMBER 19, 2022 – Earlier today, the New Jersey State Senate joined its Assembly counterpart in approving legislation that seeks to remove financial barriers to lifesaving colorectal cancer screening. With the passage of S-2305 by a vote of 37-0, the legislation heads to Governor Murphy’s desk for

Legislative Action Needed to Reduce the Burden of Cancer on Buckeyes

December 18, 2022
Ohio

As lawmakers dive into the 2023 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network urges legislators to prioritize passing legislation to ease the burden of cancer on Buckeyes.

New Report: Cancer Survivors in New York Face High Costs of Care and Debt Years After Treatment

December 15, 2022
New York

ALBANY , NY – DECEMBER 15, 2022 – The costs of being diagnosed with cancer last long after the diagnosis and initial treatment putting cancer survivors at increased risk for lifelong financial hardship, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).

Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care Resources

High Deductible Health Plans Cause Extreme Spikes in Cost

November 3, 2020

Most patients experience spikes in their health care costs around the time of a cancer diagnosis as they pay their deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. For patients on high deductible plans, this spike can mean bills due for several thousands of dollars within one month.

Overall Cancer Costs are Rising

November 3, 2020

The U.S. spent approximately $183 billion on cancer-related health care in 2015. This represents a signification portion of the total health care spending in the U.S. And it is expected to keep growing. By 2030 cancer-related health care spending is expected to reach nearly $246 billion.

Some Patients Lack Access to Lower-cost Drug Alternatives

November 3, 2020

Many cancer patients take multiple drugs as part of their treatment – often for many months or years. While drugs are not the only costly part of cancer treatment, finding ways to reduce these costs for patients and payers will significantly reduce the overall cost burden of cancer.