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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Cindy in front of the Capitol general cropped
National

Take Action: Oppose Medicaid Cuts that Children with Cancer Rely On

Cindy is living proof that Medicaid saves lives from cancer. “Medicaid saved my life and helped keep my family from going bankrupt.” Urge Congress to oppose Medicaid cuts that 1 in 3 children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S., like Cindy, rely on for life-saving care.

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Latest Updates

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The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Calls on the Senate to Protect Medicaid; Cancer Patients Lives Depend on it 

April 2, 2025
National

Ahead of an expected vote on a budget resolution, ACS CAN is urging Senators to oppose legislation that would make cuts to Medicaid.

Cancer Advocates Excited for Possibilities to Improve Breast Cancer Screening Access, Celebrate Senate’s Passing of HB 1283

April 1, 2025
North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. –– A week after receiving a “do not pass” in committee, House Bill 1283 passed the full Senate on Monday behind strong Senate voices who took a stand on behalf of North Dakotans who might need additional breast cancer screenings beyond mammograms. HB 1283, sponsored by Rep. Karen

Lawmakers Take Critical Step to Revolutionize Cancer Treatment in North Carolina

April 1, 2025
North Carolina

North Carolina lawmakers have taken a critical step in efforts to reduce the cancer burden by introducing House Bill 567 . If passed, the legislation would allow more North Carolinians to access biomarker testing, which has become an increasingly important part of cancer care. Patients who are diagnosed with

ACS CAN Warns Against Dangerous Farm Bureau Bill

April 1, 2025
Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is part of a coalition of 30 organizations warning lawmakers about Senate Bill 84 and House Bill 477, which would allow the sale of substandard and dangerous health plans by the Alabama Farmers Federation or ALFA. In response,

Access to Health Care Resources

Medicaid Funding Caps are a Barrier to Care for Cancer Patients & Survivors

February 13, 2025

ACS CAN opposes per capita caps, block grants, and other capped funding structures for the Medicaid program, as they endanger access to care.

Prescription Drug Affordability Boards and the Impact on Cancer Care

October 4, 2024

ACS CAN has long fought for public policies that support the availability and affordability of medically necessary prescription drugs. 

ACS CAN Comments re: Removing Medical Debt from Credit Reports

August 9, 2024

ACS CAN submitted comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau strongly supporting the proposal to prohibit medical debt from appearing on credit reports.