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Statement from Donald Distasio on Health Care Reform

HOUSE ACTION ON HEALTH CARE REFORM IGNITES HOPE FOR FAMILIES FIGHTING CANCER  Statement from Donald Distasio, CEO, American Cancer Society of NY & NJ, regarding House of Representatives passage of Senate health care reform legislation “Rhetoric, politics, and bickering aside, lawmakers are showing they remember the heart of health care reform - ...

Alternative Medicaid Financing Proposals Could Jeopardize Cancer Care; Increase States’ Medicaid Costs

... 4, 2017 —States would likely face increased costs and cancer patients and survivors could face delayed preventive, diagnostic and curative care under alternative Medicaid financing models being considered by Congress. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) today ... enrollees.” Unlike the current system, fixed federal payments would not adjust automatically to account for increased enrollment, unexpected health emergencies or the cost of new breakthrough treatments. Instead, such financing would shift the cost to states, which would then likely ... grants and per capita caps raise serious issues about Medicaid’s ability to offer low-income Americans quality, affordable and comprehensive health care coverage, particularly for those suffering from cancer,” said Hansen. “We want governors as well as Congress to carefully consider ...

New study indicates medical debt associated with worse health status, underscoring importance of legislative proposals in New Jersey to alleviate financial burden of disease

... impact of disease on patients and families, a new study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) shows that medical debt is associated with worse health status, more premature deaths and higher mortality rates. Researchers with the ACS have found that medical debt was associated with more days of poor physical and mental health, more years of life lost and higher mortality rates for all-cause and leading causes of death at the county level in the United States. The ... affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, ...

35 Patient and Provider Advocacy Groups Deliver Letter in Support of Step Therapy Reform Legislation (A4815/S3051)

... would ensure that when step therapy is used in New Jersey it is safe for patients, clinically grounded, and, transparent to patients and health care providers. Step therapy policies, also known as fail first, are used by health insurers to force patients to try medications that insurance companies choose, requiring the patient to “fail first” before gaining ...

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

... by a vote of 37-0, the legislation heads to Governor Murphy’s desk for final approval. If signed by Governor Murphy, New Jersey will require health insurers to cover colorectal cancer screenings recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force and eliminate cost-sharing ... for required follow-up colonoscopies following a positive stool-based test. “There should be no correlation between a person’s access to care and where they live, who they love, the color of their skin nor their insurance status. Today, the New Jersey State Senate voted to remove a critical barrier to accessing to quality health care for colorectal cancer screenings,” said Jade Bechelli, New Jersey Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society ...

Breaking: NJ Cancer Patients, Survivors Laud Gov's Medicaid Expansion

... leadership in the fight against cancer.  His proposal, if enacted, has the potential to eliminate barriers to proper diagnosis, treatment and care for those with cancer - a disease that claims the lives of more than 16,410 New Jerseyans annually." "The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) supports the Governor's choice to leverage federal dollars to broaden access to health coverage through Medicaid for low-income individuals and families. Improving access to Medicaid coverage in New Jersey will save lives and reduce health care costs. "Increasing access to the Medicaid program would provide lifesaving coverage to more than 233,000 currently uninsured New Jersey ...

N.J. Assembly Financial Institutions & Insurance Votes to Approve Legislation Aimed at Alleviating Medical Debt

... some (13%) who report expecting to incur medical debt as part of their treatment plan. Read the full polling memo here. The financial and health implications of medical debt for cancer patients and survivors are severe. Results from the Survivor Views survey show that an individual ... debt was three times more likely to be behind on recommended cancer screenings in comparison to those who have been able to pay for their care without accumulating debt. Nearly half (49%) saw their credit score decrease with 30% having difficulty qualifying for loans. New Jersey ... treatment as well as their willingness to seek future care. If we ignore this crisis, the repercussions will be widespread, endangering the health and economic wellbeing of countless New Jersey families,” said Quinton Law, Government Relations Director for ACS CAN in New Jersey. ...

Analysis of Marketplace Cancer Drug Coverage Shows Consumers Face Information Barriers on Cost and Coverage

Washington, D.C., February 22, 2017—Cancer patients trying to select the best health insurance plan through the market places continue to face challenges in determining prescription drug coverage and cost-sharing information ... and quantity limits - on common cancer drugs. ACS CAN recommends several policies that could improve drug coverage and transparency in any health care system. These include monitoring formularies to ensure plans are not discriminating against patients with high-cost conditions like cancer; ...

Expand Access to Biomarker Testing in New Jersey

... are working together to make sure more New Jersey residents can benefit from this important testing.   What is Biomarker Testing? In cancer care, biomarkers are often used to help determine the best treatment for a patient . A “ biomarker ” is a sign of a normal biological process, ... are less likely to receive biomarker testing. Improving coverage for and access to biomarker testing across insurance types is key to reducing health disparities. Insurance coverage for biomarker testing is failing to keep pace with innovations and advancements in treatment. Without action ... precision_medicine_and_biomarker_testing_fact_sheet_january_2025.pdf precision_medicine_and_biomarker_testing_fact_sheet_january_2025.pdf health_equity_in_biomarker_testing_and_targeted_therapy_december2024.pdf   Videos: Video of ...

Cancer Survivors to New Jersey Lawmakers: ‘Put Patients First,’ Protect against Threats to Patient Access to Lifesaving Medication

... it is to ensure patient accessibility to lifesaving medication and predictability around their payments.   She said, “Even I, being a health care employee and financially stable, have forgone or delayed care because of the high costs. What about all the patients who can’t afford to pay ... advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in ...

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