Healey Signs Bill to Address Breast Cancer Screening Inequities
Legislation will eliminate costly barriers to follow up breast cancer screening
Oral Parity Bill Will Help Limit the Out-of-Pocket Costs of Cancer Care
Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network President Christopher Hansen
June 12, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC June 12, 2015 Congress last night introduced the Cancer Treatment Parity Act of 2015 that would help to equalize patient out-of-pocket costs for cancer drugs taken orally, and cancer treatments delivered intravenously. The legislation would require health insurance plans that cover traditional chemotherapy to provide equally favorable coverage for orally-administered anticancer medications.æ New innovative chemotherapiesäóîsuch as those in a pill formäóîcan be easier to tolerate for patients, and can allow patients to have a better quality of life. A statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network President (ACS CAN) Christopher Hansen follows: ACS CAN applauds Senators Kirk (R-IL) and Franken (D-MN) and Representatives Lance (R-NJ) and Higgins (D-NY) for spearheading this important, bipartisan legislation that has the potential to remove barriers to critical treatments by ensuring patients and their oncologists can continue to decide on a course of treatment based on what is best for the patient, not by what is covered by insurance. Scientific advancements during the past several years have increased the availability and effectiveness of oral medications for cancer treatment, but health plans have often required higher cost-sharing for cancer treatments taken by mouth rather than administered intravenously by a doctor. This disparity can affect patient and physician decision-making about treatment options and may lead patients to forgo the best treatment for their situation. In addition, research suggests high cost-sharing for oral chemotherapy medications may lead patients to abandon treatment. Oral chemotherapy, when available, can offer advantages to patients and caregivers, like less frequent visits to a doctor 's office or cancer treatment center, less need to schedule long appointments for infusions and less worry about finding transportation to and from appointments. This flexibility is particularly important for people living in rural areas who otherwise would have to travel long distances to the nearest treatment facility, as well as for employed patients and family members who are trying to reduce hours away from work during treatment. Unfortunately, many health insurance policies do not provide adequate coverage for these newer treatments, and many patients find oral anti-cancer medications impossible to afford. We 've made significant advances in cancer treatment with past investments in research, and further promising treatments are in the pipeline. These therapies are increasing survivorship but are also improving patients ' quality of life and employment. However, the advances in research mean nothing if the life-saving treatments are not reaching patients. To date, 39 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws promoting parity between physician- and self-administered forms of chemotherapy. ACS CAN has actively supported many of the state laws that have been enacted across the country, and supports the newly introduced federal legislation that would level the playing field for all cancer patients nationwide. On behalf of patients, survivors and their loved ones, ACS CAN urges Members of Congress to support this legislation and help to reduce barriers to lifesaving treatments. 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 www.fightcancer.org. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Alissa Crispino or Steven Weiss American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Phone: 202-661-5772 or 202-661-5711 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
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