The COVID-19 crisis has impacted cancer patients' lives in several ways. The challenges due to pandemic have been cast a wide net – from heightened susceptibility of contracting the virus and disruptions to treatment to job losses that have impacted health insurance coverage. We all know the cost of treating cancer is high, so losing health insurance means that many patients might not be able to afford their care.

“What if someone is fired from their job and they lose health insurance? Or what if someone’s physician says to them, ‘I see that you work at a grocery store. It’s really not healthy for you to be at that grocery store right now as a cancer patient, so I highly advise that you take time off from work,’” said Elizabeth Franklin, executive director of the Cancer Support Community’s Cancer Policy Institute. In response, many cancer-related advocacy groups are taking a stand and pushing for more protective legislation to help people get and keep their coverage.

To learn more about the efforts to protect cancer patients during this challenging time: