Breaking news! Exciting News!

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in California v. Texas, a legal challenge that sought to strike down the law. This is a great victory for all patients with chronic or life-threatening illnesses, including our own lung cancer community. Now the nearly 17 million cancer patients and survivors across the nation will continue to have access to critical patient protections and health care services

What Does This Court Ruling Mean for Our Community?  It means that the ACA will remain the law of the land, including key provisions that impact nearly everyone nationwide. These provisions include:

  • Expanded Medicaid eligibility for low-income adults, up to 138% of the federal poverty level. To date, 38 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid, and 14.8 million people have gained coverage as a result (HHS, 2021).
  • Protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, including cancer. Under the ACA, health insurance companies cannot refuse to cover you or charge you more if you have a pre-existing condition.
  • Allowing young adults to stay on their parent’s insurance until the age of 26.
  • Providing essential health benefits, including colorectal, cervical and breast lung cancer screening. .
  • Ensuring that health insurers cannot set annual or lifetime limits (caps) on how much they will pay for the benefits that are covered by your plan.
  • Establishing health marketplaces that offers individuals and small businesses the opportunity to shop for health insurance.

GO2 for Lung Cancer has long held that the main goal of our healthcare delivery system should be to ensure that all Americans have the ability to obtain high quality, comprehensive, affordable health care that meets their individual needs, thus allowing them to enjoy good health, functional independence, and the ability to live as a productive participant in their community.

The decision by the Supreme Court today preserves the ACA and moves us closer to these core tenants. Be assured that GO2 for Lung Cancer will further our efforts to strengthen patient protections, improve the nation’s health care system, and address longstanding inequities and barriers that emotionally and financially impact our community and the millions of people living with cancer and other serious medical conditions.

Read more about the decision here.