Access to Health Care

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Every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care. From cancer screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies to the latest breakthroughs in treatment, everyone should have access to the care that could prevent cancer and save their life.  In addition, ensuring that low-income working families have access to affordable health insurance is proven to reduce overall health care costs. 

We are working in every state and in Congress to expand health care options and protect existing laws that help patients get true access to the care they need. 

People without health insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a late stage, when the disease is harder to treat, more costly and more difficult to survive.

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National

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

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Latest Updates

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Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Boost Tobacco Prevention Funding and Pass Legislation to Expand Access to Care

January 9, 2025
Michigan

As the 2025 legislative session gets underway, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges legislators to prioritize improving access to cancer care and increasing funding for tobacco control programs to ease the burden of cancer in Michigan.

Mother, Daughter Survive Cancer & Send Message to Lawmakers: Reduce the Burden of Cancer in New Jersey

January 8, 2025
New Jersey

Two years after Ocean City local Jeanmarie Mason’s breast cancer returned and spread to her bones, her daughter Julie Groob also experienced a recurrence of her cervical cancer, bringing the two closer together than ever and uniting them in the fight against cancer. As volunteers with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), Jeanmarie and Julie were among key voices in securing a medical debt relief victory in 2024. The pair are approaching the legislative session in 2025 eager to share their stories and advance critical proposals to limit the burden of disease across the cancer continuum.

Advocates Set Sights on Improving Access to Cancer Care, Reducing Burden of Disease for Maryland Patients in 2025

January 8, 2025
Maryland

The following is a statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Maryland Government Relations Director Lance Kilpatrick: “In 2024, Maryland state lawmakers heard from advocates across the disease spectrum and from every corner of the state, who united together to send a resounding message: improve access to lifesaving medication. Though the legislature did not advance the proposal to prohibit the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs, advocates are hopeful that lawmakers won’t miss the same opportunity in 2025.

Cancer Advocates Urge Montana Lawmakers to Protect Health Care Access

January 8, 2025
Montana

HELENA, Mont. – Tens of thousands of Montanans are counting on lawmakers to protect their access to health care as business convenes this week in the state capitol. Montana’s Medicaid expansion is set to expire on June 30, 2025, if not extended. Its reauthorization is a crucial agenda item for

Access to Health Care Resources

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. 

ACS CAN Comments re: Removing Medical Debt from Credit Reports

August 9, 2024

ACS CAN submitted comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau strongly supporting the proposal to prohibit medical debt from appearing on credit reports.

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.