Access to Health Care

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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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Medicaid is Under Attack.

Some members of Congress have recommended cuts to Medicaid. Cancer patients can't afford these cuts. Contact your Member of Congress today and urge them to reject Medicaid cuts.

Latest Updates

March 4, 2025
New York

This afternoon, the New York State Senate will advance legislation (Senate Bill 172) that would improve New Yorkers’ access to paid medical leave with senators lending sweeping, bipartisan support. The Assembly companion legislation (Assembly Bill 84) awaits similar consideration, and advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are urging Assemblymembers to vote in support.

March 4, 2025
North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. –– North Dakota legislators have strong momentum against cancer heading into the second half of the session as bills on prior authorization reform, supplemental breast cancer detection screenings and co-pay accumulator adjustments are progressing. Advocates of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network are grateful for the progress

March 3, 2025
Idaho

BOISE, Idaho – – A bill that would serve to strip health care from thousands of hard-working Idahoans will be heard by the Health & Welfare Committee of the Idaho House of Representatives on Tuesday. House Bill 345 would make significant, damaging changes to voter-initiated Medicaid expansion and could keep

March 3, 2025
South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. –– The South Dakota Senate on Monday moved a step closer to dismantling voter-initiated Medicaid expansion, approving House Joint Resolution 5001, potentially triggering a 2026 Constitutional Amendment ballot question that could terminate access to health care for the 29,000 South Dakotans enrolled in Medicaid expansion. To cover the

Access to Health Care Resources

ACS CAN opposes per capita caps, block grants, and other capped funding structures for the Medicaid program, as they endanger access to care.

ACS CAN has long fought for public policies that support the availability and affordability of medically necessary prescription drugs. 

ACS CAN submitted comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau strongly supporting the proposal to prohibit medical debt from appearing on credit reports.