Cancer is one of the scariest words in any language. As physicians caring for cancer patients, we are honored to care for patients and their families as they go through the journey after being diagnosed with cancer.
Throughout our careers, we have seen the number and types of cancer treatments evolve and improve in ways we never imagined at the beginning of our careers. Thanks to innovative treatments, patients can now live longer and better lives.
Now we are also much more successful in treating patients. Over the past 30 years, cancer survival has improved by more than 30%. In the United States, one in twelfth people are currently surviving cancer.
As physicians at a center that specializes in cancer care and conducts life-saving clinical trials, we are committed to ensuring that all patients diagnosed with cancer can benefit from these advances.
Unfortunately, too many patients in California do not have immediate access to potentially life-saving care. Despite dramatic improvements in health insurance in California, Medi-Cal cancer patients are routinely diagnosed later and have worse outcomes than those with almost any other type of health insurance.
A recent study found that the improvement in cancer survival for Medi-Cal patients is much lower than for privately insured patients. Survival rates for black, Hispanic, and Asian patients also remain lower than for white patients.
Some of these inequalities may be due to delays in diagnosing members of these communities, but a large part of these inequalities are related to the quality and quantity of care received. We need to ensure that all patients, including Medi-Cal recipients, can equally benefit from medical advances in cancer care.
The Equity in Cancer Treatment Act is called California Cancer Equity Act (SB 987) was created to transform our system into a more equitable system where disadvantaged Californians have access to innovative cancer treatments. This legislation will also improve access to clinical trials and improve survival and quality of life for our cancer community.
SB987 targets Medi-Cal recipients with the most advanced, complex, and potentially high-mortality types of cancer for whom currently available treatments may not be effective. For these patients, rapid access to innovative treatments and clinical trials at our state’s multidisciplinary cancer centers is the best chance we have of beating cancer.
California must ensure coverage provides the quick, easy access to health care that all patients and their families need and deserve. The path to true equality in cancer care has been paved with the struggle, courage and determination of those patients and their families who have faced cancer while dealing with a system that has failed to provide easy access to life-saving treatments.
You can help by asking your state legislators to support the passage of SB987. Your support and your voice can save lives.
Source: La Opinion
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.