Access to Health Insurance

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As Congress considers changes to the Affordable Care Act, it is critically important that lawmakers maintain the patient protections that are so important to cancer patients and survivors, and ensure insurance coverage is truly affordable.  

We can never go back to the day when cancer patients couldn’t get health insurance coverage because they exceeded a lifetime limit or are denied coverage just because they survived cancer.  And, we must ensure they don’t experience any gap in their health insurance coverage and that their policies are truly affordable.

A study conducted by the American Cancer Society showed that people who are uninsured or underinsured are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at its more advanced stages when treatment is more expensive and patients are more likely to die from the disease.

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Medicaid is under attack.

Nearly 80 million people in America rely on Medicaid for their health coverage, including millions of cancer patients. Sign the petition today urging Congress to oppose cuts to this lifesaving program.

Latest Updates

February 18, 2025
Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A coalition of 30 organizations from across Alabama has united in opposition to Senate Bill 84 , which would allow the sale of substandard health plans, commonly known as Farm Bureau plans. If enacted, SB 84 would jeopardize access to health care and financial security for

February 12, 2025
Idaho

BOISE, Idaho –– Despite hundreds of Idaho voters testifying in opposition today, Idaho House Bill 138, which would effectively repeal voter-initiated Medicaid expansion, was given a “do pass” recommendation by the House Health & Welfare Committee. Advocates of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network hope the voices of Idahoans

February 6, 2025
Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis . – Just one month into the legislative session, patients from across Wisconsin, as well as the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the American Lung Association– two of Wisconsin’s leading patient advocacy organizations – are urging Wisconsin lawmakers to advance legislation that would extend

January 31, 2025
Georgia

ATLANTA – Around 50 cancer advocates, including patients, survivors and caregivers, will travel to the Capitol from around the state on Tuesday, February 4, to have breakfast with lawmakers and ask them to support a Georgia PeachCare Plus plan to expand Medicaid. We are excited to see a Georgia-specific solution

Access to Health Insurance 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.

In our latest survey, cancer patients and survivors overwhelmingly support extending financial assistance for people who purchase health coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace by a margin of nearly 12 to 1 (72% support, 6% oppose). The survey also finds 43% would not be able to afford their plan without the enhanced tax credits, 30% would skip or delay medical care to reduce expenses, and 24% would accumulate medical debt to afford their care.

Having affordable and comprehensive health insurance coverage is a key determinant for surviving cancer.