Healey Signs Bill to Address Breast Cancer Screening Inequities
Legislation will eliminate costly barriers to follow up breast cancer screening
Consumer and Public Health Groups Express Concern About Out-of-Pocket Limits
April 10, 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. April 8, 2013 The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) today joined consumer and public health groups representing millions of Americans in urging the administration to revisit guidance issued earlier this year that could subject patients to far higher out-of-pocket spending than was intended in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).æ For the first time, the ACA sets a limit on out-of-pocket costs for patients at $6,250 annually. However, an FAQ issued by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury on Feb. 20 permits health plans with two or more administrators to maintain separate and independent out-of-pocket limits in 2014 a policy that could leave patients with life-threatening diseases such as cancer vulnerable to annual limits of $12,500 or more if their health plan has separate administrators for major medical coverage, prescription drug coverage or children 's dental coverage. In a letter sent today to the three departments, the groups strongly urge the administration to revise the guidance so patients can afford lifesaving coverage, as intended by the law.æ æ The full text of the joint letter can be viewed by clicking here. ACS CAN, the leading voice of patients, is working to ensure that critical provisions of the Affordable Care Actæare implemented as strongly as possible for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. For more information, visit https://www.fightcancer.org/healthcare. 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 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] #acscan #cancer #acesstocare #aca
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