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.

Latest Updates

March 27, 2024
New York

ALBANY, NY - 27 DE MARZO DE 2024 - Funcionarios electos se unieron hoy a sobrevivientes de cáncer, defensores de los derechos de los pacientes y líderes de salud pública para resaltar las oportunidades que se presentan en el presupuesto del año fiscal 2024-25 para a ayudar a más

March 27, 2024
New York

ALBANY, NY – MARCH 27, 2024 – Earlier today, elected officials stood alongside cancer survivors, patient advocates and public health leaders to highlight opportunities in the 2024-25 FY budget aimed at helping more New Yorkers prevent cancer, detect it early and alleviate its burden on families. Advocates with and

March 21, 2024
New York

The following was originally published in the Albany Times Union on March 21, 2024. Over the past 30 years, the risk of dying from cancer has steadily declined. This trend can partially be explained by declines in smoking rates, progress in early cancer detection and advances in

March 21, 2024
National

Today, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network submitted a statement for the record to the House Energy & Commerce Committee Health Subcommittee in regards to their hearing on Evaluating Approaches to Diagnostic Test Regulation and the impact of the FDA’s proposed rule.

Access to Health Care Resources

A critical factor for eliminating disparities and ensuring health equity is the guarantee that all people have access to quality, affordable health care.

Our latest survey finds that protecting no-cost screenings and preventive care and reducing the burden of medical debt are the most impotant priorities for cancer patients and survivors. This survey also explores the impacts of cancer on food and nutrition insecurity, with impacts felt across income groups and coverage levels.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. No one should be disadvantaged in their fight against cancer because of income, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, or where they live. From preventive screening and early detection, through diagnosis and treatment, and into survivorship, there are several factors that influence cancer disparities among different populations across the cancer continuum.