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Pennsylvania Decision to Improve Access to Health Care Will Save Lives and Money
August 29, 2014
Pennsylvania Decision to Improve Access to Health Care Will
Save Lives and Money
More Than Half a Million Pennsylvanians Will Have Security of Access to Lifesaving
Cancer Screenings and Treatment
Harrisburg, PA – August 28, 2014 – Governor Tom Corbett today chose to improve access to health coverage through private health care options for thousands of hard-working, low-income state residents. Diane Phillips, Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Pennsylvania, released the following statement about the vote:
“As an organization committed to improving people’s lives by reducing suffering and death from cancer, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is grateful to the Corbett Administration for its decision to provide over 500,000 of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents with access to health coverage through private health care options. The Governor’s decision will deliver peace of mind to cancer patients and their families who will no longer need to put off cancer screenings or treatment because of a fear of costly medical bills.
“Access to affordable, quality health insurance is critical to beating cancer. Uninsured individuals are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancers, which are more difficult and costly to treat, and are more likely to die from the disease.
“By accepting the federal funds available to extend coverage, hundreds of thousands of currently uninsured Pennsylvanians will be able to see a doctor regularly, get recommended screening tests for cancer and, if necessary, access the treatments they need to fight this disease.”
An estimated 1.6 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and more than 585,000 people will die from the disease. In Pennsylvania this year, an estimated 79,920 people will be diagnosed with cancer.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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