Press Room

State lawmakers across the country are missing important opportunities to pass and implement proven legislative solutions to prevent and fight cancer, according to a report released today by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). How Do You Measure Up?: A Progress Report on State Legislative Activity to Reduce Cancer Incidence and Mortality grades states on the strength of evidence-based policies that help to prevent cancer, which kills roughly 1,670 people a day nationwide, forces patients to pay nearly $4 billion in out-of-pocket expenses every year and in 2015 cost the country more than $80 billion in direct medical expenditures. 

Today a federal judge ruled the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) failed to adequately consider how Kentucky’s proposed Medicaid work rules would effect residents’ access to health care as required under federal law. 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today that they will not approve Massachusetts’ request to restrict Medicaid prescription drug coverage to as few as one drug per class—a practice commonly called a “closed formulary”—unless a state foregoes all manufacturer rebates.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced last night it will not defend several critical patient protections in the health law and instead is arguing to end them. If successful, the case could leave millions of Americans with serious illnesses unable to obtain health care coverage.

ACS CAN praises a bi-partisan group of Virginia state legislators who voted to accept federal dollars to increase access to health coverage through Medicaid.

I am gravely concerned about a bill being considered by the Minnesota legislature that would add unnecessary challenges to the mountain cancer patients have to climb.

Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rejected Kansas’ proposal to implement lifetime limits on Medicaid enrollment. Hilary Gee, Kansas government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, released the following statement in response:

LANSING, Mich.– May 2, 2018 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), gave testimony today to express their concerns about legislation that has been passed by the Michigan Senate and is being considered by the House Appropriations Committee.

Congress today included funding to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years as part of a short-term extension in the FY18 spending bill. However, lawmakers delayed consideration of renewed funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) until later budget negotiations are completed.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance allowing states to require “able-bodied” adults to work, participate in job training or volunteer in order to receive Medicaid health benefits. As part of the guidance, CMS exempts those who are deemed, “medically frail,” however the guidance does not clearly define who would be considered medically frail.