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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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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.

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Latest Updates

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Mississippi Lawmakers End 2025 Session Without Addressing Health Coverage Crisis

April 3, 2025
Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi legislature wrapped its 2025 session today, leaving Mississippians once again vulnerable and without a solution to the health care coverage crisis. In response, Mississippi Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Kimberly Hughes released the following statement: “We

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Calls on the Senate to Protect Medicaid; Cancer Patients Lives Depend on it 

April 2, 2025
National

Ahead of an expected vote on a budget resolution, ACS CAN is urging Senators to oppose legislation that would make cuts to Medicaid.

Cancer Advocates Excited for Possibilities to Improve Breast Cancer Screening Access, Celebrate Senate’s Passing of HB 1283

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

Lawmakers Take Critical Step to Revolutionize Cancer Treatment in North Carolina

April 1, 2025
North Carolina

North Carolina lawmakers have taken a critical step in efforts to reduce the cancer burden by introducing House Bill 567 . If passed, the legislation would allow more North Carolinians to access biomarker testing, which has become an increasingly important part of cancer care. Patients who are diagnosed with

Access to Health Care Resources

Medicaid Work or Community Engagement Requirements Could Harm People with Cancer and Cancer Survivors

April 25, 2023

ACS CAN strongly opposes any attempt by the federal government or states to condition Medicaid coverage on work or community engagement.

ACS CAN Comments on Rx Negotiation Implementation

April 14, 2023

ACS CAN provided the following comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program: Initial Memorandum, Implementation of Sections 1191 – 1198 of the Social Security Act for Initial Price Applicability Year 2026.

Survivor Views: Open Enrollment

February 16, 2023

Cancer patients and survivors must balance reducing their health care costs with ensuring they have comprehensive coverage of services, treatments, and care providers.