Making treatment affordable for patients

Blood Cancer United is working to make care more affordable.

While innovation continues to change the nature of medical treatment for serious diseases like cancer, health insurance has not always adapted to ensure patients can access the therapies they need. As a result, high out-of-pocket costs often result in barriers to care for cancer patients seeking access to treatment. When confronted with high out-of-pocket costs, some patients never initiate treatment or discontinue it before their regimen is complete.

Legislators didn't understand what it was like to make a decision between medicine you need to live and your mortgage bill. Seeing lawmakers 'get it' when I shared my story made me realize I was speaking for all survivors.

Paul O’Hara

Cancer Survivor and Blood Cancer United Advocate

Our Work

Medicare Application with a calculator and a stethescope sitting on top of it

Protecting patients in Medicare from high costs

High upfront, out-of-pocket costs threaten Medicare enrollees who rely on specialty drugs to live healthy, productive lives. Fortunately, the White House and members of Congress from both parties agree: We need to cap Medicare Part D costs and let seniors spread those costs throughout the year.

Patient giving a pharmacist their credit card

Securing manageable out-of-pocket costs for patients with private insurance

Thanks to advances in treatment, many diseases that were once considered fatal are now treated as manageable, chronic diseases. But to access those treatments, health plans often require patients to pay thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. For many patients—even those with insurance—that’s an impossible barrier to overcome.

An elderly patient sitting in a denist chair talking to the Dentist

Advancing oral parity because the way we treat cancer has changed

The way we treat cancer has changed. For decades, intravenous (IV) delivery was the primary method for administering the medications used to treat cancer. But today, more and more cancer medications come in the form of a pill.

Person looking over a lot of medical bills

Ending surprise medical bills

"Surprise billing” can happen when patients receive care from a provider outside of their insurance network, usually without their knowledge or in an emergency. Surprise bills are unfair, often leaving patients with serious medical debt, through no fault of their own.

A healthcare provider is holding a clipboard and pen speaking to a patient

Reining in the cost of cancer care across the healthcare system

With the cost of cancer care rising at an alarming rate, more of the cost burden is shifting to patients, many of whom are then forced to delay or even forego treatment.

A doctor taking the blood pressure of a patient

Ensuring patients have affordable marketplace plans

For years, advocates have pushed for high-quality health coverage at an affordable price. The American Rescue Plan Act did this for millions—but only through 2022. Americans deserve permanent access to quality, affordable coverage.