Power. Progress. Prevention.
The Foundation’s Advocacy Newsletter
May 26, 2017
CBO projections of latest health care bill are bad news for prevention programs
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Wednesday released its non-partisan analysis of the updated American Health Care Act (AHCA) that passed the House earlier this month. Unfortunately, the report shows what we already knew –that the AHCA would be devastating to cancer prevention and screening programs, while decreasing access to health care for millions of Americans.
The bill eliminates the Prevention and Public Health Fund established by the Affordable Care Act, taking money away from community organizations that provide screenings and vaccinations to those who can’t afford them. Among the CBO’s findings:
- By 2026, the number of uninsured would increase by 23 million — or 82 percent higher than under current law.
- Federal Medicaid spending would be cut by $834 billion.
- States with about half of the nation’s population will take up waivers to eliminate or weaken current protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
- Premiums in the individual market would rise by 20 percent in 2018 and 5 percent in 2019.
Prevention saves lives. Please join us in contacting your senators today to protect prevention and access to quality, affordable health care for millions of Americans.
Does your health insurance cover the screenings you need?
The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s digital tool shows you which cancer screenings are covered under your insurance. The tool has recently been updated to include three insurers that now cover breast tomosynthesis or 3-D mammograms.
Cigna, Anthem and United Healthcare recently upgraded their policies to cover the 3-D mammograms, an advanced form of mammography that offers better cancer detection and decreases call-back rates. 3-D mammograms can be especially beneficial for women with dense breasts.
We applaud Cigna, Anthem and UnitedHealthcare for covering better, earlier breast cancer detection.
By selecting your state and provider, you can see what breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer screening options are covered by your insurance. You can also compare your policy with other plans available in your state and see screening recommendations from three leading organizations, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and American Cancer Society (ACS).
Don’t Fry Day
To help reduce rising rates of skin cancer caused by overexposure to the sun, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention designated today “Don’t Fry Day” to encourage sun safety awareness. Don’t Fry Day always falls on the Friday before Memorial Day as we head into the summer season.
As warm weather approaches and millions of Americans prepare to enjoy the great outdoors, the risk for ultraviolet (UV) damage of the skin increases. Here are some tips to protect you and your family from the sun’s dangerous UV radiation:
- Generously apply a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher and reapply every two hours
- Seek shade
- Wear sun-protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats
- Wear sunglasses
- Use lip balm with UVB and UVA protection
Skin cancer is on the rise in the United States, and the American Cancer Society estimates that one American dies every hour from skin cancer. To learn more about sun safety and skin cancer, visit our skin cancer page. Have a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend!
Don’t miss our June call
Thank you to those who called in last night! Mark your calendars for next month’s advocacy call on Thursday, June 29, at 9 p.m. ET. We hope you can join us!
Dial-in: (641) 552-9402
Pin: 944319
