The Kaiser Family Foundation and the American Cancer Society will hold a briefing Thursday, Feb. 5 at 9:30 a.m. in Washington, D.C. to release a new report highlighting the serious financial consequences families can experience when a family member is diagnosed with cancer – even when the patient has health insurance.

The jointly authored report, Spending to Survive: Cancer Patients Confront Holes in the Health Insurance System, analyzes the problems in the health care system that leave insured people with cancer and other life-threatening diseases unable to pay for the life-saving care they need.

The report profiles 20 people from around the country who have been affected by cancer and suffered serious financial consequences as a result. It is based on an analysis of individual calls to the American Cancer Society’s Health Insurance Assistance Service, which helps families affected by cancer who encounter problems navigating the health care system.

In addition to the report release, the briefing will feature a Kaiser Family Foundation video documentary, The Cost of Cancer, that profiles three people in their struggles with cancer and the subsequent economic consequences. After the presentation, a panel discussion will examine policy implications arising from the research.

WHAT:
Briefing and panel discussion on a new report and companion video that illustrate holes in the health care system that can have devastating financial consequences for cancer patients.

WHEN:
Thursday, February 5, 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Eastern Time (registration at 9 a.m.)

WHO:
Drew Altman, Chief Executive Officer, Kaiser Family Foundation
John R. Seffrin, National Chief Executive Officer, American Cancer Society
John R. Rowe, Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and former chairman and CEO of Aetna Inc.
Karen Pollitz, Research Professor, Georgetown University Health Policy Institute
Karyn Schwartz, Kaiser Family Foundation
Kristi Martin, American Cancer Society

WHERE:
Barbara Jordan Conference Center (Kaiser Family Foundation Office)
1330 G Street, NW, Washington, DC (one block west of Metro Center)

RSVP:
If you wish to attend, please RSVP to Tiffany Ford Fields or (202) 347-5270.