Cancer Action Network: Cancer Advocates Urge Gov. Kelly to Veto Legislation That Leaves Patients Vulnerable to Inadequate Health Plans, Higher Expenses

TOPEKA, Kansas, March 30 (TNSPol) -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network issued the following news release:

The Kansas Senate passed Senate Bill 199, which would expand access to inadequate health plans that can avoid patient protections required by federal law.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) opposes increasing the availability of short-term limited duration (STLD) health plans because they often deny coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions -- including COVID-19 --, choose to not cover services related to those pre-existing conditions or charge enrollees higher premiums because of their pre-existing conditions. Additionally, STLD health plans do not cap out-of-pocket expenses, can have higher deductibles and may not cover essential health benefits such as prescription medication and maternity care.

The following is a statement from Megan Word, government relations director for ACS CAN in Kansas:

"Everyone deserves access to quality and affordable healthcare coverage. For the estimated 16,580 Kansans who will be diagnosed with cancer this year, having health insurance will be an important factor in their survival and quality of life.

"However, STLD plans are deceitfully affordable and ultimately offer more risk than benefit. STLD health plans don't have to cap out-of-pocket spending and can have higher deductibles, often putting patients at risk for extreme expenses that could force them to delay, interrupt or forgo the care they need.

"STLD plans do not provide the health coverage Kansans deserve; They're not good enough for Kansans and they shouldn't be good enough for Kansas lawmakers. We urge Governor Kelly to reject STLD plans and veto SB 199."