Policy Education and Resources

The cancer landscape today is a complex and changing environment. Advancements in research are helping people live longer, fuller lives with cancer, and social and emotional care has been recognized as a necessary component of complete cancer care. The 2008 Institute of Medicine Report, "Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs" has linked positive social and emotional support to better patient outcomes through the cancer experience. This landmark report has defined the gaps in social and emotional care and has identified community-based resources as a solution. The Cancer Policy Institute works through legislative and regulatory advocacy to ensure that patients have access to quality, timely, and comprehensive care that includes social and emotional care, and your voice is a vital part of our work.

Our Policy & Advocacy Resources are designed with advocates in mind and are updated regularly to reflect the most recent regulatory and policy news and priorities. We encourage you to visit this site often to learn about the Cancer Policy Institute’s initiatives, training opportunities, learning materials, events and to join us in our efforts to improve the experience of those impacted by cancer.

Check out our Education Center to learn more about the basics of Policy & Advocacy and the legislative process. Our Advocacy Tools are how-to guides for engaging in advocacy whether it is meeting with your elected official or tweeting at them. Our Webinars and Videos cover topics including patient access to care, coverage and payment, and grassroots advocacy.

• Has your or your loved one’s cancer care been delayed by insurance?
• Did insurance require you to switch your treatment from what your doctor first prescribed?
• Did you have to “fail” another treatment before you could start the treatment your doctor first prescribed?

Insurance shouldn’t stand between patients and the treatments their doctors prescribe. 

If insurance or pharmacy benefit decisions have interfered with your or your loved one’s cancer care, find out how you can take action to protect cancer treatment decisions from insurance interference.

Public policies are ideas put into action through laws and regulations. Policies on cancer screening, prevention, and early detection can be implemented at many levels — local, state, or national. 

Here are a few policies put in place to help support people seeking screening:  

The Affordable Care Act requires most health insurance plans to cover the cost of cancer screenings recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). If you are insured, this means you can get preventive services without having to pay out-of-pocket costs. If you are at a higher risk for cancer, you may need different tests or more frequent screenings. It is important to choose an insurance plan that covers the care you need.  

The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program supports women who need their breast and cervical cancer screenings. If you are uninsured, this national CDC program can help connect you to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services.  

There must be policy solutions to ensure that new screening tests are available to everyone. People must be able to access and afford preventive services to benefit from them.