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Patient Advocates Applaud NYC Program Alleviating Burden of Medical Debt for Half a Million, Look to State to Continue Progress
January 23, 2024
NEW YORK, NY—TUESDAY, JANUARY 23—The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) joins patient advocates and public health organizations across the state in applauding NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ announcement that the city will invest $18 million in an effort to erase the medical debt of as many as 500,000 New Yorkers.
Medical debt impacts many people with cancer, their caregivers and their families. In a 2022 national survey of cancer patients and survivors on their experiences with and concerns around medical debt associated with the cost of cancer, 73% reported concern over their ability to pay current or future costs of their care, and 70% noted their worry about incurring medical debt due to their cancer treatment.
More recently in 2023, a national poll on the impact of medical debt revealed that over 90% of U.S. adults agree that elected officials should pass policies that protect people with serious illnesses, like cancer, from medical debt and harassment from collection agencies.
“Cancer patients continue to suffer from a significant financial toll. The high cost of cancer care often continues for not only months but even years, which can result in substantial medical debt. No one battling this disease should have to make the impossible decision between life-saving treatment and daily needs. However, this is a reality for far too many who have received a cancer diagnosis,” said Michael Davoli, Senior Government Relations Director for ACS CAN in New York. “This investment from Mayor Adams and the city will alleviate the burden of disease felt by so many New Yorkers and help chip away at the financial toxicity that pervades the cancer experience.”
State lawmakers have also begun to take action on this critical issue with the introduction of the Ounce of Prevention Act - S1366A/A6027A and the Stop SUNY Suing Act - A8017/S7778. These bills, along with the initiative that Governor Hochul included in her state budget, aim to reduce the impact of medical debt on patients and their families.
“ACS CAN is eager to support the city’s investment and the state’s proposals. We are heartened to see New York take steps to stop this destructive cycle where patients are forced to make impossible decisions for their financial health which weigh on their mental health and undermine their physical health. We look forward to seeing Albany continue this progress,” said Davoli.
To learn more about ACS CAN’s policy positions, visit FightCancer.org/NY.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state, and local levels. By engaging advocates across the country to make their voices heard, ACS CAN influences legislative and regulatory solutions that will end cancer as we know it.
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