Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care

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Access to Healthcare

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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State Rep. Amanda Nedweski Receives National Distinguished Advocacy Award for Leadership on Lifesaving Breast Cancer Screening Legislation

September 16, 2026
Wisconsin

KENOSHA, Wis. – Wisconsin State Rep. Amanda Nedweski (R - Pleasant Prairie) received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award this week, the most prestigious award presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in recognition of her significant contribution in the fight against cancer. ACS CAN presents

New Poll: Majority of North Carolina Voters Support Affordable Access to Cancer Care and Continued Investments in Federal Research Funding

August 13, 2026
North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. – August 13, 2026 – A recent poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shows 84% of North Carolina voters believe all Americans, regardless of the type of health insurance they have, should have access to affordable cancer screening and treatment close to home.

New Poll: Majority of Georgia Voters Support Affordable Access to Cancer Care and Continued Investments in Federal Research Funding

August 13, 2026
Georgia

ATLANTA – A recent poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shows 85% of Georgia voters believe all Americans, regardless of the type of health insurance they have, should have access to affordable cancer screening and treatment close to home. Further, nearly all (96%) believe that

Washington Lawmakers Missed Opportunity to Protect Access to Cancer Prevention, Detection Resources  

April 27, 2026
Washington

OLYMPIA, Wash. – – Washington residents continue to face soaring health insurance costs and hundreds of thousands are at risk of losing life-saving coverage this year following changes to Medicaid. The Washington Legislature didn’t do enough to help that situation in its 2026 session and too many in the state

Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care Resources

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.

Formulary Transparency Helps Cancer Patients

October 6, 2017

For an individual with specific health care needs – like cancer patients and survivors – the drugs covered by a health plan and corresponding cost sharing for each drug is important information when choosing health insurance. However, to make an informed choice, formulary information must be disclosed to the individual.

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