Access to Health Care

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Every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care. From cancer screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies to the latest breakthroughs in treatment, everyone should have access to the care that could prevent cancer and save their life.  In addition, ensuring that low-income working families have access to affordable health insurance is proven to reduce overall health care costs. 

We are working in every state and in Congress to expand health care options and protect existing laws that help patients get true access to the care they need. 

People without health insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a late stage, when the disease is harder to treat, more costly and more difficult to survive.

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Advocates to Lawmakers: Improve Access to Cancer Care

February 3, 2026
Ohio

As lawmakers dive into the 2026 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges legislators to prioritize passing legislation to ease the burden of cancer on Buckeyes.

Alaska Cancer Advocates Call on Lawmakers to Protect Access to Care, Push Back Against Big Tobacco During 2026 Session

February 2, 2026
Alaska

JUNEAU, Alaska -- With Alaskans facing soaring health insurance costs and thousands at risk of losing lifesaving coverage, volunteer advocates of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) call on lawmakers to use the 2026 legislative session to preserve access to Medicaid in the state. “Geography should not

**MEDIA ADVISORY—SPOKESPERSON AVAILABLE** Advocates to Gather Under Gold Dome for World Cancer Day

January 30, 2026
Georgia

ATLANTA – Advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will gather under the Gold Dome on Wednesday, February 4, to mark World Cancer Day and advocate for improved access to care in the Peach State. Volunteers will be in various parts of the Capitol from

South Dakota House Affirms Importance of Access to Care, Defeats HJR 5002

January 29, 2026
South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. –– The importance of South Dakotans having access to quality, affordable health care was affirmed Thursday when the House of Representatives voted against moving House Joint Resolution 5002 forward, killing the latest attempt to repeal Medicaid expansion and showing respect for the will of the voters who initiated

Access to Health Care Resources

Increasing Access to Cancer Screenings for Individuals with Disabilities

September 30, 2025

For the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer – no matter how much money someone makes, the color of their skin, sexual orientat

ACS CAN Comments to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

September 19, 2025

ACS CAN supports fact-based vaccine policies that fight cancer through increased access and uptake of vaccines that prevent viruses that lead to cancer, treat cancer by boosting the immune system, and protect cancer patients and their families by maximizing community immunity.

The Critical Role of Preventive Services without Cost Sharing for Cancer Prevention and Survivorship

August 20, 2025

Access to preventive services saves lives. Over the past four decades, cancer prevention and screening services alone have averted approximately 4.75 million deaths from breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers.