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SPRINGFIELD, IL – “This week, the Illinois Senate passed legislation that will improve access to care for cancer patients by making out-of-pocket costs more predictable and expand coverage for biomarker testing.  HB1745 will make prescription drug expenses more predictable by requiring health insurance carriers to offer more health plans with flat dollar copayments. A patient will no longer have to worry about going to their local pharmacy and being shocked by their ...

... 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 ...

... Kansas Legislature passed a bill to improve quality of life for patients with serious, long-term illnesses through expanded access to palliative care. Hilary Gee, Kansas government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network released the following statement in response: “Thanks to the Legislature’s work today, Kansans are one step closer to better long-term health. We’d like to thank our lawmakers for prioritizing this issue, especially Senators Barbara Bollier, Laura Kelly and Vicki Schmidt and ... to manage the burdensome symptoms and side effects that come with a serious disease. By homing in on a patient’s specific needs and goals, health care providers avoid unnecessary and unwanted treatments, which reduces costs for both patients and hospitals. This type of care has been ...

... which brought cancer advocates together to 1) urge lawmakers to improve patients’ quality of life through expanded access to palliative care and 2) fully fund statewide tobacco prevention and cessation programs. “Cancer death rates continue to decrease nationwide, but we still ... for patients at any age and any stage of an illness and can be administered alongside curative treatment. Because it has been proven to reduce health-care costs, boost patient satisfaction and improve overall outcomes, palliative care is one of the fastest-growing trends in health-care. But many states, including West Virginia, fall short in offering adequate access to it. Restore $5 million in funding for tobacco ...