
The Path to Purpose: Marlena Murphy Finds Meaning in the Challenges
Advocate Spotlight: Marlena Murphy Marlena Murphy’s cancer journey began when she discovered a lump in her left breast during her monthly self-check in May 2018. It was a moment that would change her life forever. Marlena contacted her primary care physician and was immediately scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram. Ultrasound ...

NCCS Advocate Spotlight: Rebecca Esparza
Advocate Spotlight January 2022 | Rebecca Esparza In August of 2001, 30-year-old Rebecca Esparza noticed her clothes weren’t fitting the way they should. Although she was an avid fan of step aerobics and running, her stomach seemed to be consistently bloated. By September, Rebecca felt the need to make an ...

NCCS Advocate Spotlight: Stef Gayhart
Advocate Spotlight November 2021 | Stef Gayhart Stef Gayhart was building a life for herself and her son, when she was blindsided in August 2019 by a rare disease diagnosis: Stage 3 tongue cancer. At the time, Stef was a healthy 37-year-old working as a critical care nurse. She fought ...

Why Cancer Patients and Caregivers Need Paid Leave
It is critical that cancer patients and their caregivers have access to paid time away from work when receiving treatment or caring for their loved one. Patients with serious health care needs and their caregivers suffer in multiple ways from a lack of paid leave. Patients’ treatment may suffer, and ...

NCCS Pushes for Inclusion of Critical Health Care Provisions in Reconciliation Package
NCCS joined with other advocacy groups in sending letters to congressional leadership supporting the inclusion of several critical provisions in the reconciliation bill that Congress is currently negotiating. Specifically, NCCS expressed support for provisions that would permanently close the Medicaid coverage gap, make the enhanced advance premium tax credits (APTCs) ...

NCCS Comments on CMS-Proposed Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2022
NCCS submitted comments to the Departments of the Treasury and Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for 2022, the annual rule governing core provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the operation ...

NCCS Joins Coalition Urging Congress to Improve Health Care Coverage Affordability and Access
NCCS joined the Partnership to Protect Coverage coalition in a letter urging Congress to pass legislation to address affordable health insurance premiums, out-of-pocket costs, expand Medicaid, and limit junk insurance plans. The letter was sent to Congressional leaders in both the House and Senate, and the White House and concludes ...

NCCS Joins Coalition of Organizations Urging Congress to Extend the Medical Expense Deduction Permanently
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) joined with AARP and 47 other organizations in letters to the House and Senate asking Members to co-sponsor the Medical Expense Savings Act, which is bipartisan legislation that would make permanent the 7.5 percent threshold for the medical expense deduction. This deduction provides ...

Health Care Roundup: Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness; More on “Junk Insurance;” Reviewing Effects of California’s Surprise Billing Law; More
Ads Offering Bare-Bones Coverage are Everywhere – This Axios article highlights the growing trend of plans being advertised across the internet as “Trumpcare” plans. The problem? “Trumpcare doesn’t exist, and many of these advertised plans offer bare-bones coverage.” "It's impossible to expect consumers to discern between the good guys and ...

NCCS Survivorship Survey: Cancer Survivors Share Their Top Concerns
As part of its Elevating Survivorship initiative, NCCS fielded an online survey to understand cancer survivorship experiences and needs across a range of cancer patients. NCCS and our partner patient advocacy organizations promoted the survey to our constituents, and 1,380 cancer survivors responded. Some of the key findings include [...] ...