Everyone affected by cancer should have access to patient-centered affordable healthcare

During the last few weeks there has been a lot of attention around healthcare reform as Congress moves to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. As a long-standing advocate for affordable, patient-centered cancer care, we at LIVESTRONG are following developments closely and working to make the following basic tenents central to the healthcare reform effort, ensuring that Americans affected by cancer have access to the services they need:

• Access to Affordable Care: Congress should ensure that steps are taken to ensure access not only to care, but to affordable, patient-centered care.
• Pre-existing Conditions: The prohibition against insurance companies from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions must remain in place.
• Young Adults: Allowing young adults up to age 26 to be covered on their parent’s insurance policy also has bipartisan support.
• Incentivize Enrollment. Individuals should be incentivized to enroll in health plans and given greater flexibility to find coverage that meets their needs.

 

While a replacement plan has not been put forward yet, we believe everyone affected by cancer should have access to the patient-centered, affordable healthcare services they need to fight the disease. As Congress debates ways to reform our healthcare system, LIVE STRONG is advocating for changes that support that principle and avoid disruptions in care.
Greg Lee is President of the LIVESTRONG Foundation , based in Austin, which serves people affected by cancer and advocates for funding and policies that increase access to quality care for cancer patients and survivors.