Advocacy Request from the Cancer Policy Institute

Last week, the White House announced a major health care change that would cause millions of patients to lose access to high-quality, affordable health care. We must contact Congress now to reverse this decision and protect patients! President Trump recently announced that the federal government would no longer fund the cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) that help millions of American families to afford their health care coverage. These payments are made to insurers to help eligible consumers afford deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses, and premiums. Last year, 7 million Americans qualified for CSR assistance. The loss of the funding could result in more expensive premiums or elimination of coverage entirely as insurance companies leave the market. We need to speak up NOW to make sure that the government funds these payments so that millions of Americans can continue to access health insurance coverage. A permanent commitment to funding CSRs will encourage insurers not to pull out of the marketplace and will help to lower out-of-pocket costs and premiums. Reach out to your Representative and Senators TODAY and ask them to work together to secure funding and protect health care for all Americans! Write a Letter!  Sincerely, Elizabeth Franklin ​Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy ​Cancer Support Community

Update from the Cancer Policy Institute

This afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that there will not be a vote on the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson legislation before the reconciliation period ends this week. This is a huge victory for cancer advocates across the country as it effectively stops any possibility of passage for this bill. At the end of the reconciliation period, the Senate will return to regular order and will need to secure 60 votes for passage, rather than the 50 they've been seeking under this process. This bill would have completely cut funding for ACA tax credits, Medicaid Expansion, and cost sharing payments. It would also have allowed states to waive coverage of essential health benefits and protections for pre-existing conditions. Thank you once again for your calls, letters, tweets, and posts to Facebook about this devastating legislation. You were among millions of Americans who spoke up to defend your right to quality, accessible, and affordable health care. Your advocacy truly makes a difference, and it's thank to advocates like you that Senators were unable to get the necessary support for this bill. Now it's time for Members of Congress to turn their attention instead towards stabilizing our health insurance markets, to ensure that Americans continue to have affordable insurance options, and reauthorizing the Children's Health Insurance Program so that children in need have access to vital care. Keep holding your members accountable, and reminding them that Americans deserve quality, accessible, and affordable care! Sincerely, Elizabeth Franklin ​Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy ​Cancer Support Community

It's Time to Make Your Voice Heard

As you know, a new plan has been introduced to quickly force through a repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This week, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced a bill which would directly harm patients, survivors, and families who have been impacted by cancer. The bill would: Allot $1.2 trillion to provide states with block grants Repeal and replace ACA tax credits, Medicaid expansion, and cost-sharing payments Dramatically cut federal funding for Medicaid expansion and financial assistance programs for individuals within the marketplace, ending the funding entirely by 2026 Allow states to weaken their coverage requirements, meaning that insurers can return to offering plans that do not cover many essential health benefits like emergency services, treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders, and even coverage of prescription drugs. Repeal the individual and employer insurance mandates, as well as the medical device tax, all created under the Affordable Care Act According to a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, every state in the nation will see funding cuts as a result of this legislation, totaling nearly $300 billion by 2027. States that expanded their Medicaid program could see an 11% reduction in federal funds, compared to a 12% increase seen in states that did not. Without time for a full analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, nor hearings or amendments, this bill cannot be allowed to pass.  Senator Cassidy has stated that 49 Republican Senators are on board, out of the necessary 50, meaning that there is a serious risk that this bill could pass the Senate. Given the time crunch, the bill will come up for a vote next weekwithout adequate time for hearings, comments from experts or patient groups, or amendments. It is more important than ever that we work together to make our concerns heard. Time is running out-- Reach out to your Senator NOW to remind them to reject this irresponsible attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a bill that slashes coverage, raises costs, and eliminates protections for all Americans.   Write a Letter   Call Now!  Sincerely, Elizabeth Franklin ​Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy ​Cancer Support Community

Action Needed: Urge your Senators to oppose Graham-Cassidy Bill

Last week, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Dean Heller (R-NV) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) released an Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal plan (being referred to as the Graham-Cassidy Bill) that includes many of the same harmful provisions of other ACA repeal plans.  Not only would it jeopardize access to public and private insurance coverage for millions of individuals, but as currently drafted, the legislation would have devastating effects on women and men with breast cancer and survivors.   It is crucial that Senators continue to hear from you about your concerns around the Graham-Cassidy Bill as they decide whether or not to support the bill.  The legislative process that Republicans will use to pass this ACA repeal bill with only 51 votes expires on September 30, so the time is NOW for all advocates to raise their voices!  We must continue the push for affordable, quality health care by contacting Senators’ Washington, DC offices.  Contact your Senators now and urge them to oppose this bill.  We must ensure that breast cancer patients and survivors have access to the care they need. Thank you for your prompt action! Sincerely, Susan G. Komen Advocacy Team

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Advocacy Request from the Cancer Policy Institute

Just when we started to hope that the debate over the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was at an end, a new repeal plan has been introduced. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced a bill which would: Allot $1.2 trillion to provide states with block grants Repeal and replace ACA tax credits, Medicaid expansion, and cost-sharing payments Dramatically cut federal funding for Medicaid expansion and financial assistance programs for individuals within the marketplace, ending the funding entirely by 2026 Allow states to weaken their coverage requirements, meaning that insurers can return to offering plans that do not cover many essential health benefits like emergency services, treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders, and even coverage of prescription drugs. Repeal the individual and employer insurance mandates, as well as the medical device tax, all created under the Affordable Care Act The bill has to be passed by September 30th because the Senate Parliamentarian ruled that the process of reconciliation, which is used to fast track legislation with fewer necessary votes, will expire. Senator Cassidy has stated that 49 Republican Senators are on board, out of the necessary 50, meaning that there is a serious risk that this bill could pass the Senate. Given the time crunch, the bill will come up for a vote without adequate time for hearings, comments from experts or patient groups, or amendments. Reach out to your Senator NOW to remind them to reject this irresponsible attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a bill that slashes coverage, raises costs, and eliminates protections for all Americans.   Call Now!   Write a Letter  Sincerely, Elizabeth Franklin ​Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy ​Cancer Support Community

My Late Husband Had the Same Cancer as John McCain, and Health Insurance Was a Godsend

Aaron was 32 when they found it. Or, as the doctors said, when the tumor “presented itself,” pushing into his brain until it triggered a seizure at work, his body crumpling to the floor of his cubicle, his coworkers watching in horror. They didn't know that their carefree jokester of a colleague was being temporarily hijacked by a stage IV glioblastoma brain tumor.

Google glioblastoma at your own risk—it’ll just make you sad. But if it sounds familiar, that may be because on July 19, Senator John McCain's office announced that he, too, has a glioblastoma. It was discovered when he was in surgery to remove a blood clot, and he and his family are now "reviewing further treatment options," the statement says.

Glioblastoma is a particularly insidious cancer, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Read the full post

Advocacy Request from the Cancer Policy Institute

Background

Over the last few days, Senate Republicans have been furiously attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and reform our health care system. The result has been complex and confusing both in terms of the process and the proposed policies.

In the last 24 hours, two different attempts at reform from Senate Republicans have failed.  The first was a bill that combined the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) with an Amendment from Senator Ted Cruz (TX) that would allow insurers to sell plans that don't comply with ACA regulations. The second was a bill calling for the full repeal of the ACA without a plan to replace it. Both failed to receive enough votes to pass.

Senate Republicans have now moved on to a new push for a "Skinny Repeal" bill that would eliminate the ACA's individual mandate, partially eliminate the employer mandate, and give states new authority to use waivers to opt out of ACA regulations. These waivers, called 1332 waivers, are a major concern, as they give states the flexibility to opt out of essential requirements like coverage of pre-existing conditions and the essential health benefits, which include hospital care, prescription drugs and mental services, among others. Further than that, the individual mandate is the primary mechanism that helped build the ACA insurance markets. These mandates provide balance to the insurance pool, persuading younger and healthier people to buy coverage so that those who need more comprehensive coverage (such as cancer survivors) aren't faced with unaffordable plans. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that the skinny repeal bill would result in 16 million people losing health care coverage. 

Take Action

Advocates have worked incredibly hard over the last few months to ensure that Senators have heard their concerns. It is not too late to reinforce that message. Call your Senator today, and remind them once again that any repeal of the Affordable Care Act will negatively impact you, your family, and millions of Americans impacted by cancer.

We have included a brief script to help you to make these calls. As always, thank you for your continued support in this fight. You are making a difference.

Take Action 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Franklin
​Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy

​Cancer Support Community

AACR Annual Meeting 2017: The Affordable Care Act and Cancer Patients - Cancer Today

Cancer survivors tell their stories and researchers take a broad view.By Kevin McLaughlin

With repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), popularly known as Obamacare, on the agenda for President Trump and some Republicans in the U.S. Congress, speakers participating in an April 4 panel discussion at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2017 described the effects of the ACA and its possible repeal on cancer patients and survivors.

Metastatic breast cancer survivor and patient advocate Chiara D’Agostino of Montclair, New Jersey, credited the ACA with saving her life. D’Agostino said she was approved for ACA coverage in September 2014. In October 2014, she felt a lump in her breast that led to a stage III and eventually stage IV breast cancer diagnosis.

Learn More - Cancer Today

Vote on the American Heath Care Act Postponed

Dear Catherine,

The American Health Care Act (AHCA) was introduced in the U. S. House of Representatives on March 6 and for a second day in a row, it was not brought to a vote due to a lack of enough support for passage. The AHCA was introduced in an effort to repeal and replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA or "Obamacare"). The bill was championed by House Speaker Paul Ryan and President Donald Trump, but was hotly debated by both Democrats and Republicans.
 

The priorities of the Cancer Support Community (CSC) are access, coverage, affordability, and equity for patients living with chronic illnesses such as cancer. People impacted by cancer were concerned about the potential impact of the AHCA, particularly the following provisions:
 

Changes to the Individual and Employer Mandate: There would be no requirement to purchase insurance coverage, however individuals would have been encouraged to maintain coverage by allowing insurers to charge 30% more if there was a gap in coverage that lasted longer than 63 days. If someone was unable to afford to purchase and maintain individual coverage, this penalty could make it very difficult to ever enter the insurance market.

Changes to Medicaid: The expansion of Medicaid under the ACA that covered unprecedented numbers of individuals would have eventually been repealed. States would no longer have been allowed to cover adults with incomes over 133 percent of the federal poverty level. States could have imposed work requirements for some Medicaid beneficiaries and states could have received a lump-sum block grant rather than per capita funding. These changes could have potentially limited health insurance coverage and access to care for the most vulnerable individuals.

The Elimination of Subsidies: The current system of subsidies, which have helped individuals with low or moderate incomes afford health insurance, would have been replaced with a tax credit for patients to utilize on the individual health market. This tax credit was based on age and income and would have meant that some patients would not receive as much assistance to pay for their health care costs. Subsidies to help individuals cover out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and co-payments would have also been eliminated.

Increased Costs for Older Americans: The current system allows insurers to charge their oldest enrollees three times as much as younger enrollees. This would have changed and seniors could have been charged up to five times as much as younger enrollees per the American Health Care Act.

The Elimination of Essential Health Benefits: EHBs were required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and would have been repealed by the AHCA. These include cancer screenings, hospitalizations, prescription medications, maternity care, and mental and behavioral health treatment, among other services. Instead, states would have been able to determine the basic health benefits that insurance covers. There would have been no minimum coverage requirements which meant that plans could offer far less comprehensive insurance coverage and patients would  have paid more out-of-pocket for services they might need.

Reliance on Health Savings Accounts: The AHCA would have allowed individuals to contribute more money to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which allow people to contribute pre-tax dollars to pay for out-of-pocket expenses. HSAs are an option for people who have incomes high enough that they are able to contribute to the accounts. However, people with low- or moderate-incomes may not be able to afford to contribute to HSAs.

CSC was concerned about the burden these proposed changes would place on individuals living with cancer and people who have historically been underserved by the health care system. We do not want to see costs shifted to consumers, particularly among cancer patients who often need expensive treatments and services. We do not want health care access to become limited because programs like Medicaid become more restrictive. We are concerned that optional health savings accounts will exclude individuals who cannot afford to contribute funds to them to cover the cost of health care.

We look forward to keeping you posted on health care reform and any policy issues that have the potential to impact cancer patients and their families. 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Franklin & Kristen Cox Santiago

Senior Directors, Policy & Advocacy

Cancer Support Community

"Losing Obamacare Could Kill Me"

"Jennifer England was a 39-year-old mom and small business owner when she got a shocking diagnosis. Now she's worried that her life is on the line again......"

Read Jennifer's Story

The CBO just dealt a huge blow to Republicans’ Obamacare replacement

Please pay close attention to the very important debate going on in Congress right now. 

If you are concerned about the impact these changes may have on you, your family and friends, please contact your Congressional Representatives as soon as possible!

Learn more about the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office

Republican lawmaker says cancer patients can go to the ER for health care

It is important that all Americans pay attention to the healthcare debate going on in Congress The GOP continues to push the absurdity that all medical care can be received at emergency rooms.

Republican lawmaker says cancer patients can go to the ER for health care

Learn more:

• Replacement Act for the ACA Introduced in Congress on March 6th

• Congress Begins Debate on the Affordable Care Act