Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care

Share

female cancer patient

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

Latest Updates

See More Updates

Colorado Cancer Advocates Ask Rep. Gabe Evans to Protect Medicaid by Opposing Cuts

May 12, 2025
Colorado

Today, Colorado advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) delivered over 200 postcards signed by constituents to Rep. Gabe Evans’ district office in Northglenn, urging him to protect Medicaid by opposing any cuts to the program. The postcards highlighted how looming cuts to Medicaid would harm millions of Coloradans, including working families, cancer patients and survivors, pregnant women, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans and children.

Big Wins Against Cancer: Advocates Celebrate Successful 2025 North Dakota Session, Await Signature on Co-Pay Accumulators

April 21, 2025
North Dakota

BISMARCK, ND -– North Dakota legislators made strong moves against cancer this session, passing bills on prior authorization reform and co-pay accumulator adjustments. The last of those bills – House Bill 1216 – passed the ND Senate on Monday and awaits Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s signature. Advocates of the American Cancer

Prior Authorization Reform Passes Both Chambers, Cancer Advocates Eagerly Await Governor’s Signature

April 8, 2025
North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. -– Prior authorization reform legislation cleared the House on Tuesday and state cancer advocates look forward to the North Dakota State Senate concurring and Gov. Kelly Armstrong signing Senate Bill 2280 into law. For the more than 4,500 North Dakotans who will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025,

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

Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care Resources

Some Patients Lack Access to Lower-cost Drug Alternatives

November 3, 2020

Many cancer patients take multiple drugs as part of their treatment – often for many months or years. While drugs are not the only costly part of cancer treatment, finding ways to reduce these costs for patients and payers will significantly reduce the overall cost burden of cancer.

ACS CAN Comments on Medicare Part C and D Rule

January 25, 2019

ACS CAN submitted comments on the Medicare Part C and D Rule.

Formulary Transparency Helps Cancer Patients

October 6, 2017

For an individual with specific health care needs – like cancer patients and survivors – the drugs covered by a health plan and corresponding cost sharing for each drug is important information when choosing health insurance. However, to make an informed choice, formulary information must be disclosed to the individual.

  •