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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Unlocking Cures: ACS CAN Highlights the Need for Diversity in Clinical Trials

July 27, 2022

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is featured in the Urban One 2022 Engaging Black America Special Supplement issued today – and, as always, we are highlighting yet another critical issue that has lifesaving implications for Americans all across the country.

Survey: More than 80 Percent of Cancer Patients and Survivors Say Copay Assistance Programs Help Them Afford Their Prescription Drugs

July 26, 2022
Ohio

A new Survivor Views survey from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network shows that while copay assistance programs can help cancer patients afford the medications they need, some aren’t able to apply them to their health insurance deductible or other out-of-pocket requirements, which can create a barrier to care.

Survey: More than 80 Percent of Cancer Patients and Survivors Say Copay Assistance Programs Help Them Afford Their Prescription Drugs

July 20, 2022
Pennsylvania

Findings Highlight Need for Pennsylvania Legislature to Pass Copay Accumulator Reform Bill to Make It Easier for Pennsylvanians to Pay for Medically Necessary Medications

Survey: More than 80 Percent of Cancer Patients and Survivors Say Copay Assistance Programs Help Them Afford Their Prescription Drugs

July 19, 2022
New York

Albany, NY – A new Survivor Views survey from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shows that while copay assistance programs can help cancer patients afford the medications they need, some aren’t able to apply them to their health insurance deductible or other out-of-pocket requirements,

Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care Resources

ACS CAN Comments on No Surprises Act Interim Final Rule

September 7, 2021

In these comments, ACS CAN strongly supports Congress’ and the Administration’s efforts to protect patients from surprise medical bills and we are encouraged by the important steps this interim final rule takes. Specifically, we applaud the Departments’ proposed policies related to:

Just the Facts: Where Healthcare Dollars Are Spent

April 16, 2021

Where healthcare dollars are spent compared with dollars on cancer care, 2018.

Spikes in Cost Increase the Burden of Affording Cancer Care

November 3, 2020

Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to spikes in their health care costs because many expensive diagnostic tests and treatments are scheduled within a short period of time, so cancer patients spend their deductible and out-of-pocket maximum quickly. These costs can be difficult to manage over the course of a year, and most monthly budgets simply can’t afford these large bills.