After months of negotiations and weeks of floor debate, the U.S. Senate has begun a series of critical votes on health care reform legislation that should lead to passage of the Senate reform bill by Christmas Eve. The first such vote occurred early this morning, when Senate leaders overcame one of several anticipated filibuster attempts by senators looking to defeat the bill.
In a letter to Senate leaders and communications to the news media, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN) strongly opposed the filibuster and urged senators to approve the bill, which includes several strong provisions that would significantly improve the health care system for cancer patients and their families by:
Refocusing the system to emphasize prevention;
Guaranteeing quality, affordable coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions;
Reducing the cost burden on families;
Covering routine health costs for those who enroll in clinical trials; and
Emphasizing patients’ quality of life.
ACS CAN’s efforts to strengthen the bill have yielded major results. For example, Senate leaders dramatically improved a provision that would have continued to subject cancer patients to annual limits on coverage and the potential for sudden termination of coverage for critical care. As the leading voice of patients in the debate, ACS CAN made its concerns known to the White House, Senate leaders, and the media – and they heard ACS CAN's concerns. Senate leaders have included a new provision that ensures coverage of essential health benefits and ultimately bans annual coverage limits altogether, providing financial protection for patients with cancer and other serious health conditions should they face major medical expenses.
The bill is still by no means perfect. It would be stronger if it made quality coverage more affordable for low- and middle-income families and if it provided uninsured people in dire need of care immediate access to high-risk plans. ACS CAN will be able to continue its efforts to improve the bill only if the legislative process moves forward. If the bill passes the Senate, then House and Senate leaders will convene after the New Year to merge the bills that passed in each chamber. During that process, ACS CAN will continue to work with lawmakers from both parties to produce the strongest bill possible.
ACS CAN volunteers have now directed more than 100,000 calls and emails to lawmakers since June, and they will make nearly 3,000 calls and emails into Senate offices in the coming week in support of meaningful reform. In addition, ACS CAN has added more than 50,000 new volunteers this year who have helped to ensure that our nation’s decision-makers hear the voice of cancer patients in the debate.
As always, thank you for all you do to make our lifesaving work possible.
John R. Seffrin, PhD | Chief Executive Officer
American Cancer Society, Inc. | American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network