WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 2, 2023 –Today, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) filed an amicus curiae (or friend-of-the-court) brief in the case of Haller v. Health and Human Services (HHS) in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in support of patient protection provisions of the No Surprises Act (NSA) being challenged in the case.
The amicus brief provides extensive scientific research from ACS and other institutions on the high costs of cancer that lead to financial hardship, worse patient outcomes and higher chances of mortality.
The below statement is on behalf of Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN:
“We continue to advocate for changes to the health care system that make cancer treatment more affordable for patients and their families, including protecting patients from receiving surprise bills for unexpected out-of-network care that are prohibited by the No Surprises Act (NSA).
“The NSA has been a critical avenue to reduce the massive and growing economic burden of cancer on patients and their families. Before the NSA’s prohibition on most surprise bills, cancer patients were especially apt to encounter these bills as they often see a variety of providers at multiple facilities throughout the course of their treatment. According to ACS CAN survey data, nearly a quarter of respondents reported having received a surprise medical bill prior to the passage of the NSA and over half of cancer patients and survivors report incurring medical debt.
“No one should have to choose between medical debt or treatment. The patient protections in the NSA are imperative to being able to ensure that all people with cancer can access their recommended medical care without risking financial hardship, including problems paying bills, depletion of savings, and potential bankruptcy.
“On behalf of the millions of patients we serve, we urge the Second Circuit to uphold the protective provisions for patients included in the NSA and continue to make its goals a reality for patients.”