With new and returning elected officials in Congress and the new Administration moving at pace, ACS CAN is navigating the flurry of activity and shifting priorities in our nation's capital. While we continue to see new developments daily that may impact our strategies, our mission remains unchanged, and priority work on behalf of cancer patients and their families demands our unwavering attention.
Some recent executive actions and legislative and regulatory proposals at both federal and state levels are directly related to programs important to our cancer mission, as well as challenge our core values of inclusion and health equity. As we work to understand specifics, ACS CAN is committed to engaging policymakers to ensure that everyone has the chance to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. We are monitoring developments at federal, state, local, and judicial levels, and our priority work continues, rooted in scientific evidence that supports policy interventions that reduce the cancer burden nationwide.
At the federal level, we have launched a strategic 100-day campaign to advocate for our highest priorities. ACS CAN is advocating for uninterrupted, sustained, and robust funding for cancer research and affordable access to comprehensive health care. We are actively urging opposition to any cuts or barriers that compromise access to Medicaid. Lawmakers have specifically identified significant changes to the Medicaid program because of savings that can be generated.
As you know, ACS CAN has long advocated for expanded access to care through Medicaid, most recently through our Medicaid Covers US campaign, where we are continuing our efforts to expand the program in the remaining 10 states that have not yet acted. Evidence is clear that health insurance is one of the most important determinants of surviving cancer and Medicaid is a lifeline for many cancer patients, survivors, and their families. Therefore, we will be urging Congress to reject any proposals that compromise access to health insurance through Medicaid.
This week, we launched a petition asking volunteers to urge their lawmakers to protect Medicaid. Volunteer leadership teams have also been delivering our First 100 Days priorities directly to district offices, which will be coupled with other impactful campaign strategies over the coming weeks and months.
Across the country, 48 states are in session, and our Cancer Action Days are underway. In states we continue to focus our priorities on expanding access to patient navigation services, ensuring coverage of biomarker testing, reducing the burden of medical debt, increasing prevention measures, and protecting and expanding Medicaid.
Your support is critical! Please lend your voice and help us through your advocacy as we navigate this year's political landscape to elevate the patient voice and our cancer issues to lawmakers.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
- ACS CAN President, Lisa Lacasse
Celebrating Black History Month
This February marks the 49th annual celebration of Black History Month. We’re commemorating this Black History Month by highlighting the importance of health equity and policies that increase equitable access to cancer care for all, raising awareness of cancer disparities in the Black community, spotlighting the pivotal work of our Black volunteers, and honoring Black figures who have made invaluable contributions to health equity and cancer care. Follow along on our social channels for more.
Team Spotlight
Last month, New Jersey Government Relations Director Quinton Law was sworn in as mayor of his hometown of Moorestown, NJ. He is the first Black mayor in the town's history. Quinton was inaugurated in the meeting hall of the Town Council, which was bursting with spectators who were there to support. In his first remarks as mayor, Law expressed great pride as a native of Moorestown and gratitude for the responsibility to build on its legacy of unity and prosperity. We at ACS CAN could not be prouder of Quinton!
In Case You Missed It
ACS CAN was honored to screen In Due Season at the Families USA Health Action Conference in Washington, D.C. Legislative ambassador Neidre Fears, featured in the film, joined ACS CAN's Tomica Smith and Kristen Keifer for the event. Tomica introduced the film to a captivated audience, followed the next day by a powerful panel discussion on Medicaid expansion and health equity. A heartfelt thank you to ACS CAN team members Hillary Clarke, Mills Sparkman, Lizzy Salinas, and Katie Riley for their support at the exhibitor booth and throughout the conference.
Survivor Views - ACS CAN Released New Data focused on Premium Tax Credits
According to ACS CAN's latest Survivor Views survey, 86% of cancer patients and survivors who are able to purchase their health insurance on the Marketplace due to tax credits say they would have difficulty getting the care they need without these enhanced premium tax credits. Many of those who responded say they would consider alternatives plans that expose them to greater financial or health risk, such as enrolling in high deductible plans (81%), or plans with less coverage (69%). Further, only 25% were aware before the survey that the enhanced credits are set to expire at the end of 2025.
Cost Barriers Associated with Diagnostic Tests for Breast Cancer
A new report by ACS CAN reveals that over 70% of commercially-insured breast cancer patients faced out-of-pocket costs for follow-up diagnostic tests in 2023. These tests, such as mammograms, MRIs, ultrasounds, or biopsies, are necessary to confirm cancer, but the costs often discourage patients from getting them. While costs across states. North Dakota had the highest out-of-pocket costs (51.8%), while Northeastern states like Delaware and New York had the lowest (9.0% and 12.9%, respectively). The financial burden has led many women to delay follow-up tests, potentially resulting in later-stage cancer diagnoses and higher treatment costs. Read more.
Federal Updates
The Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men (PSA Screening for HIM) Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). This bipartisan legislation would eliminate financial barriers to prostate cancer screening by waiving cost-sharing requirements—such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance—for high-risk individuals, including Black men and those with a family history of the disease.
The Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act was introduced in the House and Senate. Original sponsors in the Senate include Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike Bennet (D-CO), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and in the House by Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Robin Kelly (D-IL).
ACS CAN continues to advocate for Congress to complete the FY25 spending bills with the highest possible increases for cancer research and prevention before the current funding patch or Continuing Resolution (CR) expires on March 14th. The One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) coalition held its annual meeting on January 27th, during which Kathryn Bell, Senior Advisor and Health Policy Staffer for the Senate HELP Committee, shared her insights and outlook for the 119th Congress. A total of 34 coalition members participated in the meeting.
Access to Clinical Trials: ACS CAN led 21 other patient advocacy and professional societies in requesting a regulatory safe harbor from the Anti-Kickback Statute that would create more clarity that clinical trial sponsors can legally provide financial support to patients participating in cancer trials. Financial concerns keep many otherwise interested patients from participating, and ACS CAN has worked both legislatively and through regulatory opportunities such as this one to ensure all patients, regardless of financial means, can participate in research.
Judicial Updates
On January 10th, the United States Supreme Court announced its decision to grant the government's petition for certiorari in the Braidwood Management v. Becerra case. At the core of this case is the requirement under the Affordable Care States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) with zero copay. ACS CAN led patient and medical professional organizations in filing an amicus curiae or "friend of the court" brief urging the Supreme Court to take the case and reverse the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit as to the constitutionality of the provisions relating to the USPSTF. We argued that the ruling at stake threatens to drastically reduce use of preventive services such as life-saving colorectal and lung cancer screenings. ACS CAN will continue to stay fully engaged in the case, including leading an amicus brief on the merits (to be filed in February) noting that requiring co- pays for these USPSTF-recommended preventive services will create a cost barrier for many, reducing utilization, leading to worse patient outcomes as well as likely increased health care expenses in the long-term.
In January, ACS CAN led patient and physician groups in filing an amicus brief advocating for broad protections against discrimination for LQBTQ+ individuals in health care services under section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. Courts had put a favorable rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on hold, and the January filing marked the third case on this issue which ACS CAN had led amici briefs since late November. Unfortunately, Executive Orders issued in late January will likely result in the government not defending the rule in court and rescinding the rule.
On January 24, patient groups representing millions of individuals with serious diseases and health conditions submitted an amicus curiae brief urging the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to uphold Affordable Care Act insurance coverage eligibility to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, as permitted by the HHS Final Rule issued in May 2024. In December of 2024, the Eighth Circuit lifted a temporary stay of the preliminary injunction in the case of Kansas v. United States. The injunction was issued following an appeal filed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). As a result, DACA recipients are not able to enroll in Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans in the 19 plaintiff states involved in the lawsuit.
ACS CAN continues to defend the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) rule requiring graphic warnings on cigarette packages and advertisements in the endless battles surrounding the rule in court. Most recently, ACS CAN joined an amicus brief filed by tobacco control groups in January in the case of Philip Morris International v. FDA in a U.S. District Court in Georgia.
State Updates
In Ohio on January 23rd, Rep. Andrea White reintroduced legislation that would increase access to biomarker testing, which could help identify the most effective, patient-specific treatment. Despite its benefits, access to biomarker testing has not kept pace with the rate of innovation due to several barriers, including lack of coverage by private health insurance and Medicaid programs, which Rep. White's legislation would fix.
West Virginia has the highest adult smoking rate in the country and over 28% of West Virginia high school students use tobacco products. ACS CAN advocates are calling on Governor Morrisey and lawmakers to increase prevention funding.
Governor Mills proposed to increase the Maine cigarette tax by $1 per pack which would increase the tax revenue while at the same time substantially reduce longer term tobacco related health care costs. ACS CAN called on lawmakers to support this proposal.
Advocacy in the News
Bloomberg: Cigarette Nicotine Cuts Proposed in Last-Minute FDA Rule
Axios: Lung cancer diagnoses in American women outpace men for first time
Cancer Health: How Would Failing to Extend Tax Credits for Marketplace Health Plans Impact Cancer Patients?
Healthcare Dive: New rule wipes medical debt from consumer credit reports
Medical Economics: Lawmakers, experts weigh in on Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program
Black Information Network: Radio Segment Featuring ACS CAN Expert Dr. Bruce Waldholtz
Voz: New cancer profile in America: Women and young people
Bangor Daily News: Letter: Higher taxes on cigarettes will benefit Maine
Philadelphia Inquirer: New year, new laws: Health reforms hit Pa. and N.J.
Mississippi Today: ‘It’s 2025’: Health care leaders plead with lawmakers to expand Medicaid
