Take Action!

Make Sure Congress Considers Cancer

Cancer patients and survivors have some of the most challenging experiences with our health care system, at a time in their lives when they are most vulnerable.

Congress is developing health care reform legislation as we speak, and it's up to us to ensure the needs of cancer patients: increased funding for early detection and patient navigation services, improved access to health insurance, and protections from financial hardship for patients with insurance – are all included in the final health care package.

Urge your leaders in Congress to support the needs of cancer patients by including these key cancer priorities as part of health care reform. It's easy to do, just fill out the form below:

Already a Champion? Just select your prefix, type in your email, and click "send my letter."

Complete the following to send this message and sign-up to receive periodic updates. If you have participated before, just type in your email address and set your prefix, then submit the form.

Email:*

Prefix:*

First Name:*

Last Name:*

Address Line 1:*

Address Line 2:

City:*

State:*

ZIP:*

Phone Number:

* Required Field

Subject:

(Edit Letter Below)

As your constituent and a strong advocate against cancer, I want you to ensure the needs of cancer patients and survivors are included as part of a final health care package as you debate health care reform.

Cancer patients and survivors have some of the most difficult experiences with our health care system, at a time in their lives when they are most vulnerable.

Federal and state programs that provide support to underserved people with cancer are dramatically underfunded, leading to huge gaps in access to treatment.  Even cancer patients with health insurance find that because of high cost sharing, annual and lifetime maximums, and other limitations, they may be exposed to extremely high out-of-pocket costs.  If a cancer patient has to cut back on hours or leave their job to undergo treatment, they often face the prospect of losing their health insurance.  And, cancer survivors face some of the largest hurdles for reentering the workforce or seeking private insurance, because they have a so-called preexisting condition.

To address these concerns, I am calling on you to support the following key priorities as part of health care legislation:

- Increase the investment in federal and state programs that provide cancer screening, treatment and patient navigation services for underserved populations.

- Protect cancer patients who have health insurance from excessive out-of-pocket costs that may lead to severe financial hardship and even bankruptcy.

- Ensure access to affordable, high-quality health insurance for all, including people with "pre-existing" conditions like cancer - so everyone can continue to have health insurance, even if they lose or change jobs.

- Enhance the quality and value of health care by focusing on prevention, wellness and chronic disease management.

- Address the chronic shortage of cancer care specialists, particularly in underserved areas.

Cancer costs the U.S. $228 billion each year in medical costs and lost productivity. It claims more than 565,000 lives each year and inflicts incalculable physical pain and emotional distress on cancer patients and their families.

We must take this opportunity to address the needs of cancer patients by making a strong investment in the fight against cancer.  This investment will provide a short-term stimulus the economy needs today, while building a foundation for a healthier, more productive workforce in the future.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

By submitting this form, you agree to receive periodic news and action alerts from Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance