Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care

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Access to Health Care

COVID-19 has shone a spotlight on the significant barriers to affordable health care that cancer patients have long faced. While relief packages and proposals to date have worked to address affordability of COVID-specific testing and treatment, policymakers must also tackle hurdles that cancer patients face like removing the red tape of prior authorization and step therapy, reducing out-of-pocket costs, and ensuring cost-sharing assistance directly benefits patients. There has been a great deal of research and investment in effective therapies that allow people fighting cancer to survive and live longer. Cancer patients need Congress to act quickly to remove hurdles to quality care.

56% of cancer patients and survivors are worried about being able to afford their treatment

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Prior Authorization Reform Gets ‘Do Pass’ From Senate Committee

February 12, 2025
North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. –– For the more than 4,500 North Dakotans who will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025, medical prior authorization can delay treatment, increase stress, and have a negative impact on their care . The Senate Industry and Business Committee of the North Dakota Legislature today took a significant

Congressional Budget Cuts to Medicaid would Harm Cancer Patients and Their Families

February 12, 2025
National

The Senate Budget Committee is scheduled to mark up its budget resolution this week, setting the stage for significant cuts in discretionary spending to offset the cost of the package.

Breast Cancer Diagnostic Bill Clears First Hurdle, Gets ‘Do Pass’

February 6, 2025
North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. -- The North Dakota House Business, Industry and Labor Committee on Wednesday gave a “do pass recommendation” on legislation that, if successfully passed, will lead to better outcomes in the fight against breast cancer. House Bill 1283, sponsored by Rep. Karen Karls of Bismarck, would require all state-regulated

Advocates Urge South Dakota Lawmakers to Provide the Tools to Detect, Defeat Breast Cancer, Keep Tobacco Fund Intact

January 14, 2025
South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota legislators begin a new session today and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network advocates will urge them to take the opportunity to assure those at risk for breast cancer have the tools needed for early detection and defeat of the disease. Regular mammograms are an

Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care Resources

Cancer Patients & Survivors Strongly Support Maintaining Funding for Medicaid and Protections for Preexisting Conditions

February 12, 2025

Our latest Survivor Views survey finds that across party lines cancer patients and survivors oppose reducing funding for Medicaid (73%), and fewer than one-in-five support adding a work requirement for Medicaid (19%). The survey also finds overwhelming support for protecting coverage for those with preexisting conditions (81%), and explores questions related to allowing non-ACA plans in the marketplace, which a majority (65%) feel would be confusing.

Medical Debt and Cancer

May 9, 2024

Medical debt impacts many people with cancer, their caregivers and their families. This factsheet details this impact and explores policy solutions to prevent medical debt and minimize its impact on health, quality of life and financial health.

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.