SPRINGFIELD, IL – As lawmakers dive into the new year, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) asks that legislators support legislation that will ease the cancer burden in Illinois. Long after this pandemic passes, people deserve to live full, healthy lives.
ACS CAN is advocating for:
Prescription Out-of-pocket Costs: legislation that would allow patients to plan and predict their prescription drug costs with options that include a fixed co-pay, $150 cap for 30 day supply, or fixed annual out-of-pocket limit for prescriptions on the health exchange market. This would allow patients to plan and predict their prescription drug costs by spreading the costs out over the calendar year instead of patients with chronic conditions having to pay their full out-of-pocket maximum at the beginning of the year.
Even in these uncertain times, people are still hearing the words "you have cancer" for the first time, including the 71,990 Illinois residents who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. A cancer diagnosis doesn't just come with emotional turmoil. It also leaves patients with a long list of concerns, including whether they'll be able to afford the treatment ahead.
ACS CAN volunteers look forward to meeting with lawmakers during ACS CAN's Cancer Action Day on Monday, May 3. ACS CAN encourages individuals, businesses and organizations that are interested in these issues to reach out to ACS CAN to get involved in the fight against cancer at: fightcancer.org/IL
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society's nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.