Cancer Patients Plead for Comprehensive Health Care Reform

In an emotionally charged day, the American Cancer Society Action Network, along with patients, survivors, and caregivers, visited Capitol Hill to bring attention to the sobering reality of cancer patients trying to navigate the health care system while fighting for their lives.

What they wanted to get across, and what is evidenced by a ACS CAN poll, is that:

* Nearly one in three people diagnosed with cancer under the age of 65 has been uninsured since their cancer diagnosis. Scientific research shows that being uninsured can adversely impact your chance of survival.

* Four in ten families say paying for health care costs for the person with cancer has been difficult in the past two years.

* Additionally, one in five has used up all or most of their savings because of health care costs, and one in seven has incurred thousands of dollars of medical debt.

* As a result, one in four people who have had a cancer diagnosis has had to put off health care in the past year. One in three individuals under age 65 diagnosed with cancer has delayed care. Of those in active cancer treatment, nearly one quarter has put off getting a test or treatment for their cancer in the past year.

* Of those under age 65 who have searched for an individual plan outside of their employer, 16 percent found and purchased an affordable plan. A majority could not find an affordable plan.

* Affordability issues span demographic groups, including those who currently have health insurance coverage, as well as those with higher household incomes.

It is crucial that we transform our current system into one that places disease prevention and patient-centered care above short-term profits. Without comprehensive health care reform, we won’t realize our potential as a nation to conquer a disease that will kill 560,000 people this year.

You can help by telling congress that we need real health care reform now!

Watch this Video: Mother & Daughter Dealing with Breast Cancer

Note: The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network has developed a new widget featuring videos of cancer survivors, their harrowing tales of bravery and their battle to be well in a “sick care” system, which will make its debut tomorrow.

Photo courtesy of American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

patricia r.

4:11PM PDT on May 22, 2009

Social Security now has "compasionate determination" for certain diseases including certain cancers. However, there is still a 6 mth wait for actual benefits and the mandatory 2-year wait for medicare, once your disability claim is approved. This is ludicrois, as many people with a terminal diagnosis will never receive any benefit from SSDI because they won't live long enough to benefit from the "compassionate determination" Some folks can quailify for SSI and Medicaid if they have very little assets. The monthly benefit is hardly enough to get by on. I wonder just how is this fair to people who have worked and paid in all their life? Patricia R.

send a green star

Souad N.

1:19AM PDT on May 22, 2009

As if it is not enough their severe suffering of cancer also they have to think of how to pay for treatment. Above 65 or under all they are fighting for their survival and they must be treated and covered.