This week, ACS CAN released new materials aimed at educating cancer patients, lawmakers and advocates on the benefits of biosimilars and highlighting ACS CAN’s continued work to advance policies that increase access to treatment options.
Have you ever wondered whether your voice – your personal story – can have a lasting, widespread impact? If you are ever in doubt about the difference that can be made thanks to one dedicated advocate, I hope you’ll take a moment to think about Melissa Thompson. Earlier this week “Melissa’s law,” took effect in Connecticut. This legislation will ensure fertility coverage for those facing chemotherapy or some other medically necessary treatment that threatens their ability to have children. This bill was unanimously passed in both the House and Senate, and makes Connecticut the first state in the country to enact such legislation.
The Maine Legislature passed and delivered bills to expand access to health coverage via Medicaid to Governor Paul Le Page five times over the last several years, only to be thwarted by a veto with each attempt. On this past Election Day, Maine voters finally had their say on the issue and overwhelmingly cast their ballots in favor of increasing access to affordable health coverage for low-income people in their state. The final vote on Maine’s Question 2 was 59 percent for expansion, clearly indicating that residents were in support of the idea.
Over the last four years, ACS and ACS CAN have worked with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. (DST) to address cancer disparities among African American women. While most of this work has been regionally-focused in the past, we have expanded this partnership with DST into a national one.
Investment in research has led to advances in detection and treatment of cancer that are leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses and more targeted treatments. Guest Blogger Joydeep Goswami explores these advances and stresses the importance of broad access to the latest diagnostic tools and resulting treatments.
Guest blogger Dr. Jan Eberth, Ph. D., assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the University of South Carolina, discusses some of her health disparities research work to illustrate the value of federally-funded research in preventing and treating cancer.
During a presentation to the Society and ACS CAN on the state of health and wellness in the African American community, Dr. Harold P. Freeman, former Society National Board President and founder of the Harold P. Freeman Patient Navigation Institute, shared his thoughts on reducing disparities and the role of patient navigation.
According to a new edition of the ACS CAN report How Do You Measure Up? released today, most state legislatures are missing opportunities to enact laws and policies that could not only save lives, but also generate new revenue and long-term health care savings.
In an historic decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that Congress intended for tax credits provided under the Affordable Care Act to be available to people who buy a health plan in a health insurance marketplace run by their state or the federal government.
Thanks to key provisions of the health care law known as the Affordable Care Act, every state now has a website that makes it easier than ever to shop for coverage and compare health plans.