Overview:
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (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 part of this effort, ACS CAN deploys surveys to better understand cancer patient and survivor experiences and perspectives, through our Survivor Views research panel. The panel is a group of cancer patients and survivors who respond to regular surveys and provide important insights to support ACS CAN’s advocacy work at all levels of government.
Fielded January 9-26, 2025, our latest survey explores cancer patients’ and survivors’ perspectives on several key health policy questions related to Medicaid, marketplace health plans, and coverage for preexisting conditions. The web-based survey was conducted among 1,246n cancer patients and survivors nationwide who have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer in the last seven years.
Key Findings:
- Fewer than 1 in 5 cancer patients and survivors support a Medicaid work requirement (19%). While support varies by party affiliation, fewer than one-third (31%) of cancer patients and survivors who identify as Republican and only 10% of those who consider themselves Democrats support a Medicaid work requirement.
- Strong majorities (73%) across party lines oppose cuts to Medicaid, including 64% of self-identified Republicans, 75% of Independents, and 84% of Democrats.
- A majority of cancer patients and survivors (55%) also oppose allowing more non-ACA plans in the marketplace. Sixty-five percent agree this would be confusing.
- Cancer patients and survivors overwhelmingly support maintaining the protections that prevent insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions (81%).
Summary of Findings:
Fewer than One-in-Five Support a Medicaid Work Requirement
Just nineteen percent of cancer patients and survivors say they would support adding a work requirement for people enrolled in Medicaid. While support for a work requirement varies by party affiliation, fewer than one-third of those who consider themselves Republicans (31%), one-quarter of self-identified Independents (25%), and just 10% of those who consider themselves Democrats support this. Those with an early-onset cancer diagnosis (diagnosed between age 18-49) and members of the disability community are particularly opposed, with just 15% of each group supporting a Medicaid work requirement.
Majorities Across Party Lines Oppose Cuts to Medicaid
About three-quarters (73%) of cancer patients and survivors oppose reducing funding to Medicaid. While there are differences by partisanship, this includes 64% of Republicans, 75% of Independents, and 86% of Democrats surveyed who oppose cuts to Medicare. Only one-in-ten Republican cancer patients and survivors surveyed say the federal government should reduce funding for Medicaid.
Allowing More Non-ACA Plans in the Marketplace Would Cause Confusion
The Affordable Care Act requires plans to cover certain Essential Health Benefits (like hospitalizations, prescription drugs, doctor’s visits). Some policymakers support allowing non-ACA plans that don’t have to cover these Essential Health Benefits and wouldn’t be required to cover cancer screenings or cancer treatment. A majority of cancer patients and survivors (55%) oppose allowing more non-ACA plans in the marketplace. Republican respondents are more likely to support this than Democrats, however just one-in-four Republican cancer patients and survivors surveyed support allowing more non-ACA plans into the market. Majorities of all groups agree differentiating between the plans would be confusing (65%).
Cancer Patients and Survivors Overwhelmingly Support Maintaining Protections for Pre-existing Conditions
The Affordable Care Act prohibits most health insurance plans from denying coverage or charging higher premiums to people with pre-existing conditions (like cancer). Eighty-one percent of cancer patients and survivors support maintaining the protections that prevent insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. This includes strong majorities of each political party as well as US active duty veterans (80%) and the disability community (81%).
Methodology
ACS CAN’s
Survivor Views research initiative was designed to support the organization’s efforts to end suffering and death from cancer through public policy advocacy. Data provided by cancer patients and survivors as part of this project allows for a greater understanding of their experiences and opinions on cancer-related issues and gives voice to cancer patients and survivors in the shaping and advocating of public policies that help prevent, detect, and treat cancer and promote a more positive quality of life for those impacted.
To ensure the protection of all participants in this initiative all research protocols, questionnaires, and communications are reviewed by the Morehouse School of Medicine Institutional Review Board.
The survey population is comprised of individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Diagnosed with and/or treated for cancer within the last seven years
- Over the age of 18 (parents of childhood cancer survivors were invited to participate on behalf of their minor children)
- Reside in the US or US territories
Survivor Views participants are invited to participate through email, direct mail, social media, and outreach to communities and partners engaged with cancer patients and survivors. Those who agree to participate after reviewing the informed consent information are invited to join the Survivor View’s research cohort and participate in future surveys. This survey also includes cancer patients and survivors nationwide from probability and non-probability panels. The data for this survey were collected between January 9-26, 2025. A total of 1,246 participants responded to the survey.
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan 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 stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting
www.fightcancer.org.
