Comment on CMS-2026-2047-0002

Public Comment - CMS-2454-IFC Maine Cancer Foundation leads a statewide effort to reduce the impact of cancer in Maine. We invest in the most promising and effective programs that advance cancer prevention, increase screening, and improve access to care for all Maine people. Cancer is one of the most expensive medical conditions to treat. It is a diagnosis that requires frequent appointments for testing and treatment, supportive care, multiple medications, longstanding follow-up care, and monitoring for complications or recurrence. For people living with cancer, maintaining health insurance coverage is critical to accessing this comprehensive care. Maine Cancer Foundation is writing today to encourage CMS to minimize administrative burdens for individuals with cancer and other serious chronic diseases. A patient's cancer journey is rarely linear. They may be able to work at certain times and unable to work at others, as health status can change rapidly and unpredictably. These fluctuations often do not align with the rigid timelines and administrative categories suggested by the proposed rules. Additionally, with advancements in treatments and targeted therapies, cancer patients are achieving better overall outcomes and living longer. This increase in the number of cancer survivors also means there are more individuals living with the disease as a chronic health condition, rather than a time-limited illness. This longstanding survivorship has implications in all areas of life, including one's ability to work. Rather than creating additional barriers for patients and increasing administrative burdens for the providers who care for them, states should rely on existing medical records and claims data to verify eligibility and support continuity of coverage. Patients should not have to continually prove that they are ill enough to qualify for an exemption, nor should they risk losing access to lifesaving healthcare coverage because of administrative paperwork or documentation barriers. Policies must reflect the realities of living with a chronic or recurring disease such as cancer and be designed to prevent unnecessary coverage disruptions. We hope you will consider the experiences of patients, caregivers, and families as you finalize this rule. Sincerely, Ray Ruby Executive Director Maine Cancer Foundation