Health Insurance Affordability

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Access to affordable health insurance is a key factor for surviving cancer. Individuals who are uninsured or who cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs for their insurance are less likely to get screened for cancer and therefore less likely to survive a cancer diagnosis.  

Through the Affordable Care Act, those with lower incomes who purchase health insurance plans on the Marketplace receive tax credits to help make plans more affordable.  The tax credits were later expanded to provide more individuals with financial assistance to help them afford their health insurance plans. 

These enhanced tax credits led to record enrollment in Marketplace plans and have provided 7.2 million people in America with a path to affordable, comprehensive coverage to be able to prevent, detect and treat cancer. Unless Congress acts and makes the ACA enhanced tax credits permanent, affordability will become a barrier to lifesaving cancer screening, early detection, treatment and follow-up care.  

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Sign the petition to help protect affordable health care

Countless cancer patients and survivors have benefits from patient protections in the health care law. Sign now to urge Congress to keep and strengthen comprehensive, affordable health coverage

Latest Updates

April 1, 2025
North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. –– A week after receiving a “do not pass” in committee, House Bill 1283 passed the full Senate on Monday behind strong Senate voices who took a stand on behalf of North Dakotans who might need additional breast cancer screenings beyond mammograms. HB 1283, sponsored by Rep. Karen

March 25, 2025
North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Senate on Monday passed House Bill 1216 on a 30-14 vote, setting aside a “Do Not Pass” by the Senate Human Services Committee and sending the bill back to Senate Appropriations for review and approval of amendments. The original bill passed the house on

February 25, 2025
National

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider a budget resolution that could lead to devastating cuts to Medicaid. Ahead of the vote, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is urging House members to oppose cuts to Medicaid.

January 28, 2025
National

Eighty-six percent of cancer patients and survivors who receive tax credits to afford Marketplace plans say they would have difficulty getting the care they need without the enhanced premium tax credits, according to the latest Survivor Views survey from ACS CAN.

Health Insurance Affordability Resources

Our latest survey finds that 86% of those receiving enhanced premium tax credits would have difficulty getting care if the credits expire at the end of 2025, and very few (25%) are aware of the enhanced credits expiring.

This factsheet provides information on how the enhanced ACA tax credits help states. 

This factsheet provides background information on how the enhanced ACA tax credits benefit those in rural communities.