Access to Health Care

Access to Health Care

ACS CAN advocates for policies that provide access to treatments and services people with cancer need for their care - including those who may be newly diagnosed, in active treatment and cancer survivors.

Access to Health Care Resources:

Debunking Myths about the Enhanced ACA Tax Credits

October 11, 2024

This factsheet seeks to debunk some of the misinformation that has been made about the enhanced ACA tax credits.

ACS CAN Factsheet: Enhanced ACA tax credits have helped historically marginalized communities

October 9, 2024

This factsheet shows how the enhanced ACA tax credits have benefitted historically marginalized communities.

Cancer Patients & Survivors Overwhelmingly Support Extending ACA Enhanced Tax Credits

October 8, 2024

In our latest survey, cancer patients and survivors overwhelmingly support extending financial assistance for people who purchase health coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace by a margin of nearly 12 to 1 (72% support, 6% oppose). The survey also finds 43% would not be able to afford their plan without the enhanced tax credits, 30% would skip or delay medical care to reduce expenses, and 24% would accumulate medical debt to afford their care.

Prescription Drug Affordability Boards and the Impact on Cancer Care

October 4, 2024

ACS CAN has long fought for public policies that support the availability and affordability of medically necessary prescription drugs.

Congress Must Make Permanent the ACA Enhanced Tax Credits

May 10, 2024

Having affordable and comprehensive health insurance coverage is a key determinant for surviving cancer.

Survivor Views: Majority of Cancer Patients & Survivors Have or Expect to Have Medical Debt

May 9, 2024

Our latest survey finds that about half of cancer patients and survivors (49%) have incurred medical debt to pay for their cancer care and another 13% expect to incur medical debt as they begin or continue their treatment. Nearly all of those (98%) had health care coverage at the time they accumulated medical debt. This survey also explores the broad health and financial implications of medical debt, how medical debt deepens inequites, and the alarming rate of cancer related medical debt among younger respondents with early diagnoses.

ACS and ACS CAN letter regarding CMS data

March 22, 2024

Addressing Cancer Disparities in LGBTQ+ Communities

March 20, 2024

A critical factor for eliminating disparities and ensuring health equity is the guarantee that all people have access to quality, affordable health care.

Factors Influencing Cancer Disparities

January 11, 2024

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. No one should be disadvantaged in their fight against cancer because of income, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, or where they live. From preventive screening and early detection, through diagnosis and treatment, and into survivorship, there are several factors that influence cancer disparities among different populations across the cancer continuum.

Prescription Drug Affordability Resources:

ACS CAN Enhanced ACA Tax Credit Factsheet

October 9, 2024

This factsheet provides basic information about the enhanced ACA tax credits.

Prescription Drug Affordability Boards and the Impact on Cancer Care

October 4, 2024

ACS CAN has long fought for public policies that support the availability and affordability of medically necessary prescription drugs.

Patient Assistance Programs

November 1, 2023

Patient Assistance Programs

Comments to CMS re: Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program

September 12, 2023

Survivor Views: Copay Assistance and Patient Navigation

July 18, 2022

Prescription drug costs are a significant burden on cancer patients and survivors, sometimes even leading patients to miss or delay taking prescribed medications. The latest Survivor Views survey explores the role copay assistance programs can play in reducing this burden, and also addresses patient navigation and digital therapeutics.

Survivor Views: Affordability, Prescription Drugs, & Pain

December 15, 2021

A majority of cancer patients and survivors struggle to afford cancer care and over 80% have had to make financial sacrifices to cover their health care expenses. This survey also reveals ways that affordability concerns can negatively impact care and treatment, and explores issues related to prescription drug coverage and pain management options.

Some Patients Lack Access to Lower-cost Drug Alternatives

November 3, 2020

Many cancer patients take multiple drugs as part of their treatment – often for many months or years. While drugs are not the only costly part of cancer treatment, finding ways to reduce these costs for patients and payers will significantly reduce the overall cost burden of cancer.

Survivor Views: Surprise Billing and Prescription Cost and Coverage Survey Findings Summary

December 4, 2019

This Survivor Views survey examined access to and affordability of cancer care. Survivors report insurance-related barriers to obtaining prescriptions, and lower-income respondents in particular have difficulty affording them. 24% of respondents have received a surprise medical bill, 60% of which were more than $500.

Understanding Biologic and Biosimilar Drugs

July 27, 2018

Biological drugs, commonly referred to as biologics, are a class of drugs that are produced using a living system, such as a microorganism, plant cell, or animal cell. Like all drugs, biologics are regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Medicare Resources:

ACS CAN Multi-Cancer Early Detection Factsheet

April 1, 2023

Earlier screening for cancer is important because when detected at later stages, treatments are more limited, and outcomes are generally poorer. Medicare enrollees should have access to multi-cancer screening tests when the benefit is clinically shown.

Survivor Views: Open Enrollment

February 16, 2023

Cancer patients and survivors must balance reducing their health care costs with ensuring they have comprehensive coverage of services, treatments, and care providers.

ACS CAN Comments on CY2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

September 7, 2022

On Tuesday, September 6, 2022, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network filed comments on the calendar year (CY) 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule.

ACS CAN's comments focused on the following:

The Medicare Appeals Process: Reforms Needed to Ensure Beneficiary Access

November 17, 2020

The incidence of cancer increases with age and thus the Medicare program is vitally important to millions of Americans who are undergoing active cancer treatment, are cancer survivors or who have not yet developed cancer.

ACS CAN Comments on CMS Proposed Radiation Oncology Demonstration Project

September 16, 2019

ACS CAN Comments to Seema Verma, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

ACS CAN Comments on Medicare Part C and D Rule

January 25, 2019

ACS CAN submitted comments on the Medicare Part C and D Rule.

Costs and Barriers to Care Resources:

Gaps in Coverage Are Detrimental to Cancer Patients & Survivors

January 10, 2017

Current federal law has several provisions that help prevent individuals and families from experiencing gaps in their health insurance coverage. Coverage gaps can delay necessary care, which is particularly detrimental to cancer patients and survivors. Preventing gaps in coverage is a crucial patient protection that must be maintained in our health care and insurance system.

Strong Prevention Policies Will Reduce the Cancer Burden

January 10, 2017

Current federal law provides life-saving coverage of cancer prevention and early detection services and programs. These provisions are crucial to reducing the incidence and impact of cancer in the United States. They are also crucial in helping cancer survivors remain cancer-free and lead healthy lives.

Dependent Insurance Coverage is Critical for Young Adult Cancer Patients & Survivors

January 10, 2017

The health care law has several provisions that help prevent individuals from experiencing gaps in health insurance coverage, including the requirement that private health insurance plans allow dependents to remain on their parents’ insurance until age 26. This provision is important for keeping survivors of childhood and young adult cancer insured, and helps to ensure young adults receive preventive services and screenings. This provision is a crucial patient protection that must be a part of a health care system that works for cancer patients and survivors.

Cancer Patients Need Access to Comprehensive Health Insurance

January 10, 2017

Consumers need access to health insurance policies that cover a full range of evidence-based health care services – including prevention and primary care – necessary to maintain health, avoid disease, overcome acute illness and live with chronic disease. Any health care system that works for cancer patients must have standards ensuring that enrollees have access to comprehensive health insurance.

Bans on Lifetime and Annual Cost Caps Protect Cancer Patients

January 9, 2017

Current federal requirements prohibit most insurance plans from limiting both the lifetime and annual dollar value of benefits. This ban is one of several important patient protections that must be part of any health care system that works for cancer patients.

Medicaid Resources:

ACS CAN Comments re: Maryland 1115 Medicaid waiver proposal

December 7, 2023

Comments re: Arkansas Medicaid Waiver Request - Work/Engagement Requirements

July 13, 2023

ACS CAN submitted comments in July 2023 to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing grave concerns about Arkansas' request to create work or engagement requirements in Medicaid.

Renewing Your Medicaid Coverage

May 8, 2023

Annual Medicaid Renewals are back. During the pandemic, Congress changed the rules to allow for continuous coverage protections for Medicaid enrollees. This helped people keep their health coverage without needing to re-enroll during a tough and uncertain time in our country.

Medicaid Expansion & The End of Continuous Coverage in Wyoming

May 4, 2023

What does unwinding continuous coverage have to do with Medicaid expansion?

During the pandemic, Congress put in place continuous coverage protections to ensure that Medicaid enrollees were able to keep their health coverage without needing to re-enroll.

Medicaid Expansion & The End of Continuous Coverage in Wisconsin

May 4, 2023

What does unwinding continuous coverage have to do with Medicaid expansion?

During the pandemic, Congress put in place continuous coverage protections to ensure that Medicaid enrollees were able to keep their health coverage without needing to re-enroll.

Medicaid Expansion & The End of Continuous Coverage in Tennessee

May 3, 2023

What does unwinding continuous coverage have to do with Medicaid expansion?

During the pandemic, Congress put in place continuous coverage protections to ensure that Medicaid enrollees were able to keep their health coverage without needing to re-enroll.

Medicaid Expansion & The End of Continuous Coverage in South Carolina

May 3, 2023

What does unwinding continuous coverage have to do with Medicaid expansion?

During the pandemic, Congress put in place continuous coverage protections to ensure that Medicaid enrollees were able to keep their health coverage without needing to re-enroll.

Medicaid Expansion & The End of Continuous Coverage in North Carolina

May 3, 2023

What does unwinding continuous coverage have to do with Medicaid expansion?

During the pandemic, Congress put in place continuous coverage protections to ensure that Medicaid enrollees were able to keep their health coverage without needing to re-enroll.

Medicaid Expansion & The End of Continuous Coverage in Mississippi

May 3, 2023

What does unwinding continuous coverage have to do with Medicaid expansion?

During the pandemic, Congress put in place continuous coverage protections to ensure that Medicaid enrollees were able to keep their health coverage without needing to re-enroll.

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