Access to Health Care

Share

Photo of a Doctor visiting their patient in the hospital

Related Priorities

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.

Take Action

Cindy in front of the Capitol general cropped
National

Take Action: Oppose Medicaid Cuts that Children with Cancer Rely On

Cindy is living proof that Medicaid saves lives from cancer. “Medicaid saved my life and helped keep my family from going bankrupt.” Urge Congress to oppose Medicaid cuts that 1 in 3 children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S., like Cindy, rely on for life-saving care.

Send a Message Today

Latest Updates

See More Updates

Cancer Survivors to New Jersey Lawmakers: ‘Put Patients First,’ Protect against Threats to Patient Access to Lifesaving Medication

March 27, 2025
New Jersey

Earlier this week, the New Jersey State Assembly voted to advance a bill that seeks to create more stability for patients. The proposal (Assembly Bill 5217) would curb an unfair insurance practice that makes critical medication more expensive and access unpredictable. With its passage in committee, advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are hopeful that the full Senate and Governor Murphy see the bill’s momentum as a call to action to take the final steps to pass and enact the necessary reforms.

Iowa Legislators’ Medicaid Cuts Threaten Cancer Care for 180,000 Iowans

March 25, 2025
Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa – “Iowa has the 2 nd highest cancer rates in the country and our cancer rates continue to rise year over year. The State Legislature’s votes to cut Medicaid expansion will plunge our state deeper into this cancer crisis. Iowa Medicaid serves as a lifeline for many

Nevada Survivors, Patients Urge Lawmakers to Oppose Indoor Cannabis Smoking Bill During ‘Cancer Action Day’

March 24, 2025
Nevada

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) united cancer survivors, patients and caregivers from across Nevada at the state capitol for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ Monday to urge lawmakers to oppose AB76, which is currently being considered by the state legislature. If enacted, the bill would allow for indoor cannabis smoking and weaken the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act.

New Report Underscores Importance of Proposal to Reduce Costs of Breast Cancer Imaging

March 21, 2025
Florida

A new report by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) found that over 70% of commercially-insured patients had out-of-pocket costs for follow-up breast cancer diagnostic tests in 2023.

Access to Health Care Resources

Survivor Views: Preventive Care Coverage, Medical Debt, & Food Insecurity

February 14, 2024

Our latest survey finds that protecting no-cost screenings and preventive care and reducing the burden of medical debt are the most impotant priorities for cancer patients and survivors. This survey also explores the impacts of cancer on food and nutrition insecurity, with impacts felt across income groups and coverage levels.

Factors Influencing Cancer Disparities

January 11, 2024

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. No one should be disadvantaged in their fight against cancer because of income, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, or where they live. From preventive screening and early detection, through diagnosis and treatment, and into survivorship, there are several factors that influence cancer disparities among different populations across the cancer continuum.

Impacts of Medical Debt: Findings from a National Survey

October 30, 2023

ACS CAN partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and RIP Medical Debt to conduct a national survey on the impacts of medical debt and high health care costs. Read the full results.