Bill Overview
Title: Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act
Description: This bill establishes programs and requirements to support the provision of services for cancer survivors, including Medicare coverage of cancer care planning and coordination services, grant programs for navigation services for cancer survivors, and a model to provide cancer survivorship care planning for children under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Sponsors: Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-23]
Target Audience
Population: people who are cancer survivors
Estimated Size: 18000000
- Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
- There are millions of cancer survivors globally, and many require continuous support and care.
- The bill includes provisions specifically for Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP, so it impacts both older populations (likely on Medicare) and younger children (on Medicaid and CHIP).
- It also mentions navigation services, implying a broad support strategy that might address common issues faced by survivors like accessing healthcare services and holistic care.
Reasoning
- There are about 18 million cancer survivors in the US, mainly covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP, making them the key beneficiaries.
- The policy also emphasizes navigation and care planning, which could have significant improvements in survivors' wellbeing over time.
- Financial constraints of the policy require prioritization among the target groups, possibly focusing resources on those with the most need or greatest potential for improvement.
- Different demographic groups (age, socio-economic status, location) have distinct experiences, which are affected by policy changes.
Simulated Interviews
Retired teacher (Fort Worth, Texas)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The navigation services mentioned in the policy would really help me. Sometimes it's overwhelming to manage my own care.
- I'm pleased that Medicare will cover more aspects of survivorship care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Construction worker (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope that easier access to services will help prevent any future complications.
- It'll be useful to have a coordinated care plan through Medicaid.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Student (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 15 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having a care plan through CHIP helps my family feel more secure about my future health.
- I'm not concerned much about healthcare now, but I know it's important for later.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Nurse (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill seems helpful, but as I'm not on Medicare or Medicaid, I'm unsure how much it'll impact me.
- It'd be nice if similar navigation services were available regardless of insurance type.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
IT professional (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic that expanded coverage will reduce my stress about future health care costs.
- It might relieve some of the financial burdens related to my condition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Student (Orlando, Florida)
Age: 8 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mom says having a plan means we don't worry as much about my health care.
- I'm happy we have help figuring out what's next. I just want to play with my friends.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired engineer (New York, New York)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see more options for coordinating care with Medicare.
- I'm not directly affected by Medicaid or CHIP, but the intention seems good.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Part-time librarian (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The cancer care planning will likely provide a better quality of life as I manage side effects over time.
- I'm definitely going to use these resources to stay informed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Freelance graphic designer (San Francisco, California)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The bill seems good, but I don't see how it connects to my situation without insurance.
- I hope there are indirect benefits, like community programs expanding capacity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Full-time parent (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would be a blessing because managing my health while supporting my family is tough.
- With better healthcare navigation, I can focus more on my kids.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3500000000 (Low: $3000000000, High: $4000000000)
Year 2: $3550000000 (Low: $3100000000, High: $4050000000)
Year 3: $3600000000 (Low: $3150000000, High: $4100000000)
Year 5: $3700000000 (Low: $3250000000, High: $4250000000)
Year 10: $4000000000 (Low: $3500000000, High: $4500000000)
Year 100: $5000000000 (Low: $4500000000, High: $5500000000)
Key Considerations
- Expanding Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP services will require significant federal and state coordination.
- Long-term savings depend on the effectiveness of care coordination and navigation services in preventing costly long-term complications.
- There will be a need for robust data systems to monitor outcomes and ensure accountability.
- Potential regional disparities may arise due to differences in local healthcare infrastructure.