WASHINGTON, D.C. -- July 15, 2009 -- American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers from all 50 states are on Capitol Hill today to meet with their lawmakers, calling for Action: Now Not Later on comprehensive health care reform. The lobby day is one of several activities taking place in Washington, D.C., in the latest phase of a campaign sponsored by ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, to raise awareness that families affected by cancer need health care that is accessible, affordable, available and administratively simple.
ACS CAN is also releasing new polling data from a survey conducted by Lake Research Partners and American Viewpoint that shows that one in four families affected by cancer says they have had to put off or delay care in the last year because of cost. The poll also found that in the last 12 months, nearly one-third of cancer patients in current treatment: cut pills or skipped doses, nearly one-quarter delayed a recommended cancer screening or treatment and 1 out of 5 didn’t fill a prescription.
“Cancer patients across the country are digging deep into their savings and risking financial ruin to pay for their treatment and care,” said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., chief executive of ACS CAN and the American Cancer Society. “Too many cancer patients are delaying or forgoing lifesaving screenings and treatments because of access problems and no cancer patient should ever be forced to make a decision between their life and their lifesavings.”
The poll also shows that a large proportion of cancer patients do not know important information about their health care plan. Nearly half (48 percent) said they did not know if their health plan includes a cap on out-of-pocket costs. More than half (51 percent) reported being unaware of whether their plan has annual coverage limits.
In their meetings with lawmakers, volunteers will emphasize that fixing the system for cancer patients will ensure that it will work for virtually anyone who needs care, because cancer patients experience the major gaps in the broken “sick care” system.
“Health care reform is about saving lives, and there is no time for delay,” said Daniel E. Smith, ACS CAN President. “Congress must take action NOW, not later, on health care reform. We cannot reduce suffering and death from cancer if the country does not eliminate the barriers to quality, affordable health care.”
The lobby day and poll release also coincide with a Metro station advertising campaign calling for “Action: Now Not Later,” on health care reform. Throughout the month of July, every inch of advertising space in the Capitol South Metro station on the orange and blue lines, the main Metro stop for commuting House staffers, will be saturated with ads that highlight the personal and financial toll that cancer patients face due to gaps in the broken health care system.
In addition to the metro station takeover, several trains on Metro’s Red Line, which runs through the Union Station stop used by many Senate staffers, will be shrink-wrapped throughout the month with the “Action: Now Not Later” message and will feature interior advertising on car cards and train headliners.
Volunteers stood outside both Union Station and Capitol South metro station this morning, wearing branded gray and orange “Action: Now Not Later” shirts and distributing palm cards to help highlight the urgency of the issues for families affected by cancer.
Finally, the week’s activities are rounded out by an exhibit in the Russell Senate Building Rotunda that will run through Friday, July 17th. Signed panels will be on display that were gathered during a 6-month, 50,000-mile bus tour to every state in the continental United States. The ACS CAN Fight Back Express served as a rolling petition, signed by thousands across the country who want cancer to be a higher national priority.
The exhibit also includes real stories of cancer patients who have first-hand knowledge of the affordability, availability, adequacy, and administrative simplicity problems that exist in the current health care system.
All of the activities are aimed at urging lawmakers to come up with a uniquely American solution for fixing the broken health care system that works for families affected by cancer by:
* Refocusing the system to emphasize prevention
* Ending the practice of denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions
* Limiting the cost burden on families by providing care that costs less and covers more
* Ensuring meaningful coverage for all Americans that starts with disease prevention and emphasizes quality care through the end of life
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 https://www.fightcancer.org/.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Alissa Havens
Phone: (202) 661-5772
Email: [email protected]
Steven Weiss
Phone: (202) 661-5711
Email: [email protected]