Thank You From the Cancer Policy Institute

Late last night the Senate voted to reject the so-called "Skinny Repeal" of the Affordable Care Act by a vote of 51 to 49. The bill would have repealed the insurance mandate for individuals, partially repealed the mandate for employers, and allowed states to use 1332 waivers to opt out of essential requirements like coverage of pre-existing conditions and the 10 Essential Health Benefits. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) had estimated that this bill would leave 16 million Americans without health care. 

Thanks to your advocacy and the advocacy of millions of Americans who all refused to allow the Senate to strip them of their coverage, the bill is now dead. Three Republicans-Senators Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK) and John McCain (AZ)-joined all 48 Democrats in opposing the bill. Thanks to their courage and confidence in the support of their constituents, they defied their parties to do the right thing on behalf of all Americans. 

Thank you for all of your calls, letters, Tweets, and Facebook posts over the past several months. Your advocacy and your stories are what made a difference in this debate. The Senate will now return to regular order to consider a health care bill, and we will make sure to keep you updated and engaged in the debate on behalf of cancer survivors across the country.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Franklin
​Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy
​Cancer Support Community

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

Advocacy Request from the Cancer Policy Institute

Dear Catherine,

The battle for health care continues to get uglier with each passing day. After weeks of fighting against legislation that aims to weaken protections, raise premiums, and pull the plug on our access to quality health care, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called for a vote for the total repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The vote, scheduled for tomorrow, is a play to force the hands of Senators who have promised for years to repeal the ACA, but have opposed the recent proposed legislation for fear of the deep cuts to care that their constituents would face.

Even if you have called before, your Senators need to hear from you now more than ever. They need to be reminded that they should vote no, and that they have the support of their constituents in that vote. We cannot allow Senators to vote yes, especially not out of fear of backlash from constituents. Remind them that you stand behind them and ask that they ensure your continued access to the lifesaving health care options that you deserve!

We have provided a brief script. Please reach out and make sure that your voice is heard! We must stay focused and work against any bill that will raise costs and lower coverage.

Thank you for your tireless efforts in this fight to come together and protect our health care.

 Take Action! 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Franklin
​Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy
​Cancer Support Community

Advocacy Request from the American Cancer Society

View this email online

Here’s the latest. The Senate has abandoned the health care bill they’d been considering because they didn’t have the votes to get it passed. Instead, they will vote to repeal the current health care law without a replacement. The vote could happen as soon as later this week. This would be disastrous for cancer patients and survivors. If the current health care law is repealed, it would: Take us back to a time when cancer patients and survivors could be denied health insurance due to their pre-existing condition Impose annual and lifetime limits on care Make health insurance coverage unaffordable for many people Every U.S. Senator should vote against repealing the current health care law. An estimated 32 million people in the U.S. could lose health coverage, and in less than a decade, premiums could double. Will you send a message to your Senators right now and ask them to vote no? Even if you’ve already sent a message previously during this debate, now is a critical moment, and they need to hear from you again. With your help, we’ll continue to make the voices of cancer patients and survivors heard loudly in this debate. Thank you for taking action. We’ll keep you updated. Erin O’Neill Vice President, Grassroots Strategy Send to a Friend | ACS CAN | My Account | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy Please do not reply to this email. It is sent from an unmonitored mailbox. Click here to contact ACS CAN. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network 555 11th St, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20004 1.888.NOW.I.CAN

Advocacy Request from the Cancer Policy Institute

We are at a turning point in the future of our access to health care. Your voice has been crucial thus far in the fight to protect patients. Your advocacy-- your calls, emails, tweets, and appearances at town hall meetings have all been essential in our effort to make sure Senators know that the Better Care Reconciliation Act will not work for most Americans, particularly those who have a history of cancer.

The passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) meant that cancer patients and survivors could access health care, regardless of pre-existing conditions and without fear of lifetime coverage caps. Now, the Senate legislation threatens to take that away, and so much more. 

If you are concerned about the impact of this legislation, there is more that you can do. Your personal stories and experiences are another important way to make your voice heard, and impress upon your legislators just how important health care coverage and access are to you and your family.

Are you concerned that if passed into law, the Better Care Reconciliation Act will impact your ability to afford coverage and access health care services? If you feel that you have a story to share about what the ACA has meant for you, and how losing that coverage will affect you and your family, please take the time to share it. You can email your story to me at efranklin@cancersupportcommunity.org. If you choose to tell your story, we will ask permission to share it with Members of Congress, reporters, or other stakeholders who need to understand the potential consequences of a health care system that will let many patients slip through the cracks.

Your voice matters and we thank you for your passion and advocacy on behalf of patients nationwide. 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Franklin
​Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy
​Cancer Support Community

Cause for Concern: The Future of Healthcare

Last month, Cancer and Careers released results from their 5th national survey on Work and Cancer. The findings highlight many of the challenges we hear about from our community every day — from disclosure to looking for work to access to healthcare

Advocacy Request from the Cancer Policy Institute

Republican Senators are scrambling to force the Better Care Reconciliation Act through their chamber without due process or time for hearings and debate. Today, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its findings about the impact that this bill will have on Americans if it is passed.  The report predicts that 22 million people will be left uninsured over the next decade. Senators can no longer deny the devastating impact that this bill will have if passed into law. Costs will be higher and coverage will be weaker-especially for individuals with pre-existing conditions like cancer patients and survivors. Today, the American Medical Association stated that this legislation violates one of the most important standards of medicine: "First, do no harm." Please call your Senators and tell them that they must vote NO on this bill! If you have called before, call again! It is more important now than ever before that we send a clear message that this bill is UNACCEPTABLE.  Call Now!  Sincerely, Elizabeth Franklin ​Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy ​Cancer Support Community

Advocacy Request from the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network

	Cathy, It's bad. The U.S. Senate unveiled their secretly drafted health care bill, and now we know why they were keeping it a secret. The impact on cancer patients could be devastating: Insurers could stop covering treatments Re-imposing annual and lifetime caps on coverage Skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs for cancer patients Call your U.S. Senator - Senator Bill Cassidy - and ask them to vote no on this dangerous bill. It only takes one minute to leave a message with the receptionist or on their voice mail. Please call right now. It’s as easy as 1-2-3: Step 1: Call Senator Bill Cassidy at (202) 224-5824 Step 2: Leave the following message. You’re always welcome to add your personal story, but it’s not required. “My name is [your name] and I’m from [city]. I’m calling to ask you to vote against the Senate health care bill because it could take away cancer patients' and survivors' affordable health care coverage. Thank you." Step 3: Click this link which will indicate to us that you completed the call. Thank you, Erin O’Neill Vice President, Grassroots Strategy

Send to a Friend | ACS CAN | My Account | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy Please do not reply to this email. It is sent from an unmonitored mailbox. Click here to contact ACS CAN. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network 555 11th St, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20004 1.888.NOW.I.CAN

Info on the "Better Care Act" finally released-- Advocacy Request

Dear Catherine, Today the Senate finally released the details of the bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. This bill, known as the Better Care Reconciliation Act, has been crafted behind closed doors and without public hearings. Senate Republicans repeatedly promised to make improvements to the American Health Care Act which passed the House in May. However, they have released a bill that includes the same problematic components included in the House version. This bill is harmful to patients. Costs will be higher and coverage will be weaker-especially for the most vulnerable patients who depend on Medicaid and individuals with pre-existing conditions like cancer. This bill, if passed into law, will cause million people to lose coverage. This bill will be devastating to millions of Americans, particularly cancer patients and survivors. Senators could vote as early as next week. It is crucial that you call your Senators TODAY and tell them to vote NO on this bill!  Call Now! Sincerely, Elizabeth Franklin ​Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy ​Cancer Support Community

Advocacy Request from the ACS' Cancer Action Network

Cathy, It should be simple. If you survived or have cancer, you should still be able to get quality, affordable health coverage. Right now, the U.S. Senate is crafting their version of a new health care bill. And, if it’s anything like the bill that passed the U.S. House, the danger for cancer patients and survivors is very real. This is the time - while senators are still drafting the bill - to make our voice heard. Send a message to your U.S. Senators and insist that any changes to the health care law ensure cancer patients and survivors have access to quality, affordable coverage. It only takes one minute using our easy action form. Let’s be sure cancer patients and survivors are never again denied access to quality, affordable health coverage. Thank you, Erin O’Neill Vice President, Grassroots Strategy Send to a Friend | ACS CAN | My Account | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy Please do not reply to this email. It is sent from an unmonitored mailbox. Click here to contact ACS CAN. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network 555 11th St, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20004 1.888.NOW.I.CAN