Site Search

Share

X

Search Results

Cancer Research and Disparities: Understanding and Addressing the Issues

The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear the significant disparities that exist in our health care system and the need to address their root causes, including in cancer care. Ensuring all individuals – regardless of age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, sexual orientation, insurance status, or ...

Community Letter Urging Congress to Enact Diagnostic Oversight Reform

Leading health care companies and organizations representing patients, providers, laboratories and diagnostic manufacturers called on Senate and House leaders to ... innovative diagnostics and clinical laboratory tests to market. In a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) and House Energy and Commerce Committee, more than 80 organizations urged Congress to prioritize ...

Medicaid Work or Community Engagement Requirements Could Harm People with Cancer and Cancer Survivors

... Engagement Requirements Could Harm People with Cancer and Cancer Survivors Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides comprehensive health coverage for certain individuals, including those with limited incomes and disabilities. Most adults enrolled in Medicaid work: a ... by cancer could be locked out of coverage. In 2021, almost 15% of working-age Americans with a history cancer relied on Medicaid for their health care. [i]   2021 National Health Interview Survey data. Analysis performed by American Cancer Society Health Research Services, December 2022. ...

Sustainably Funding Patient Navigation

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are united in the goal of achieving health equity and access to quality care across the cancer continuum through effective patient navigation. Yet to date, patient navigation services are still absent or limited in ...

Survivor Views: Majority Less Likely to Get Recommended Screenings if Coverage is Lost

... government. Fielded April 2-20, 2023, our latest survey explores cancer patients’ and survivors’ experiences related to receiving preventive health care, the adequacy of coverage networks, and the need for patient navigators. The web-based survey was conducted among 1,311 patients and survivors ... 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’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as ...

Cancer and the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act

... to address the opioid epidemic. Overview of the SUPPORT Act [i] Expands opioid treatment and recovery by providing incentives for enhanced care, coordination and innovation; and establishes comprehensive opioid recovery centers. Encourages the use of non-addictive opioid alternatives ... (FDA) to address the challenges and barriers of developing non-addictive medical products used to treat pain; (3) requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit a report to Congress on access and effectiveness of abuse-deterrent opioid formulations; and (4) ... Agency (DEA) to consider when setting annual opioid quotas (i.e. limits on supply), including diversion, abuse, overdose deaths and public health impacts; and requires DEA to explain the public health benefits if the agency approves an increase in any annual opioid quota. ACS CAN ...

Smoking-Related Cancer Deaths by State, 2020

Cigarette smoking is responsible for 480,000 premature deaths [i] and more than $240 billion in U.S. health care spending annually and nearly $185 billion in lost productivity [ii] , [iii] These numbers do not take into account cancer deaths caused by ... proportion of smoking related cancer deaths – 37.8 percent or or 1,339 adults – caused by cigarette smoking.   [i] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of ...

Improving Access to Biomarker Testing

... from patients to identify and evaluate cancer biomarkers. Testing patients for specific biomarkers is integral to precision medicine in cancer care, but despite evidence pointing to the clinical benefits associated with biomarker testing, routine clinical use does not always follow, and ... insurance would not cover it or their out-of-pocket costs would be too high. A new report by ACS CAN and LUNGevity Foundation found while health insurance coverage for biomarker testing has improved since the organizations’ last report in 2018, coverage is still failing to keep up ... a combination of factors, as highlighted in the ACS CAN report  Improving Access to Biomarker Testing - Advancing Precision Medicine in Cancer Care  which explores the current landscape of cancer biomarker testing, sheds light on the nature of challenges limiting adoption of appropriate ...

Maintaining Access to Pain Management for Cancer Patients & Survivors

... chronic pain, it remains a highly stigmatized issue. But given proper attention most pain can be treated and relieved. Integrative pain care that includes non-drug therapies along with medications is effective in keeping patient pain under control. While not the only tool, opioid ... of cancer patients and survivors in such efforts. Balanced Public Policy Response ACS CAN supports balanced policies that address the public health concerns relevant to the opioid epidemic and that do not impede access to pain medications for patients and survivors who need them, such ... new evidence-based pain treatments, pharmacological and non-pharmacological Increasing provider education on pain management and palliative care Ensuring that public and private insurance programs cover the range of evidence-based pain treatments in a way that is accessible and ...

Medicaid Work Requirements Jeopardize Cancer Patients & Survivors

Medicaid is a joint federal–state program that provides comprehensive health coverage for certain individuals, including those with limited incomes and disabilities. The vast majority of those with Medicaid who can ... by cancer could be locked out of coverage In 2023, over 16% of working-age Americans with a history of cancer relied on Medicaid for their health care. [iv]  Many of these individuals impacted by cancer are physically unable to hold a job or engage in a job search – and while some may be ...

Type

Priority Issue

State

Policy Issue

Judicial Advocacy