American Cancer Society Backs Legislation to Reduce Health Care Disparities

2/26/2003

From: Rachel Tyree of the American Cancer Society, 202-661-5707; e-mail: Rachel.tyree@cancer.org

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 -- The American Cancer Society today announced its support for the "Patient Navigator, Outreach, and Chronic Disease and Prevention Act of 2003." The legislation, which was introduced by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, Senator Jeff Bingaman, D-New Mexico, and Representatives Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio, would establish demonstration grants to create patient navigator programs in needy communities.

These programs fund a primary care provider and patient navigator who offer a personalized approach to helping people in medically underserved communities move through the health care system and get affordable, understandable prevention, detection and treatment services needed to combat diseases like cancer. The current healthcare system is not designed to address language and cultural barriers faced by the medically underserved, resulting in an overall lack of understanding and fear of the medical system.

"Imagine being wounded and lost in the woods with no map or compass to find your way home," said John R. Seffrin, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society. "Accessing our health care system feels like that for thousands of people. The patient navigator program will provide the map, the compass, and even a personal trail guide to help direct patients to the right treatment and care. We know that the poor, those who lack adequate health insurance, live in rural areas, or are part of a racial or ethnic minority group are more likely to develop and die of cancer. This patient navigator legislation will help these individuals get the care they need and provide them with information and answers to their health concerns in their native language and in ways that are less intimidating.

"We are grateful to Senators Hutchinson and Bingaman as well as Representatives Menendez and Pryce for their leadership and passion on this issue. We look forward to working with them to improve the health care delivery in our communities," said Seffrin.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, the Society has 17 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across America. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit http://www.cancer.org.