The PAN Foundation leads the way in advocating for policies that improve healthcare access, affordability, and equity so people can live the lives they deserve.
Since 2004, our financial assistance programs have helped more than 1.2 million people to start or stay on life-changing treatment. In addition, we’ve achieved major policy victories that increase access to care, mobilized patient advocates to call for change, and educated people nationwide on critical healthcare-related topics. We’re committed to working towards a future where equitable health outcomes are a reality for all.
Our policy recommendations
Each year, the PAN Foundation identifies the key policy priorities we believe will help improve health equity and access to healthcare. We leverage our grassroots advocate network to act on key issues by asking Congress to support our policy recommendations. The PAN Foundation is uniquely positioned to educate a wide range of audiences, from patients to policymakers, about the legislation needed to make healthcare more affordable for all.
The PAN Foundation's Areas of Focus
Make healthcare affordable and accessible to all, without discrimination
Public and private sectors have an obligation to address health inequities, making healthcare affordable and accessible to all without discrimination.
Increase diversity in clinical trials
The public and private sectors must increase representation in clinical trials to reduce barriers to care and foster better health outcomes.
Limit total out-of-pocket costs for all patients
The administration, Congress, and insurers must set policies that make out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications affordable for all.
Enhance the Medicare Part D Extra Help program
Congress and the administration should further enhance the Extra Help program to increase awareness and enrollment.
Expand Medicare to include dental, hearing, and vision benefits
Congress should expand Medicare to ensure adequate dental, hearing, and vision coverage and minimize out-of-pocket spending.
Reduce high upfront health insurance deductibles
Commercial health insurers must mitigate the impact that high upfront deductibles have on patients' ability to start and stay on treatment.
Ban copay accumulator, maximizer, and alternative funding programs
Ban programs that block access to prescribed medications and lead to greater out-of-pocket costs for individuals with serious diseases.
Adopt value-based insurance designs
Value-based insurance designs increase access to treatment and affordability for people with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases.
Make mental health services and medications accessible to all
Older adults should have access to affordable mental health services and support, including appropriate medications.
Make telehealth flexibilities permanent
Telehealth can help expand access to treatment and continuity of care for all patients.
Maintain coverage of preventative services without cost-sharing
Congress and the administration should protect access to clinical preventative services without cost-sharing through private insurance.
Make care management more widely available
Congress and the administration should expand care management to address both the health and social needs of patients.
Curb restrictive utilization management practices
Congress and insurers should take action to minimize disruptions in care by curbing restrictive utilization management on patients.
Maintain the six protected classes in Medicare Part D formularies
Legislative or regulatory changes to the six protected classes policy would erode essential patient protections and cause financial burdens.
Smooth out-of-pocket costs throughout the year
Spread out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions evenly over the course of the year so that patients can afford to start and stay on treatment.
Cap out-of-pocket costs
Limiting monthly or annual costs helps people with Medicare access needed treatment and plan for these costs throughout the year.
Make healthcare affordable and accessible to all, without discrimination
Public and private sectors have an obligation to address health inequities, making healthcare affordable and accessible to all without discrimination.
Increase diversity in clinical trials
The public and private sectors must increase representation in clinical trials to reduce barriers to care and foster better health outcomes.
Limit total out-of-pocket costs for all patients
The administration, Congress, and insurers must set policies that make out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications affordable for all.
Enhance the Medicare Part D Extra Help program
Congress and the administration should further enhance the Extra Help program to increase awareness and enrollment.
Expand Medicare to include dental, hearing, and vision benefits
Congress should expand Medicare to ensure adequate dental, hearing, and vision coverage and minimize out-of-pocket spending.
Reduce high upfront health insurance deductibles
Commercial health insurers must mitigate the impact that high upfront deductibles have on patients' ability to start and stay on treatment.
Ban copay accumulator, maximizer, and alternative funding programs
Ban programs that block access to prescribed medications and lead to greater out-of-pocket costs for individuals with serious diseases.
Adopt value-based insurance designs
Value-based insurance designs increase access to treatment and affordability for people with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases.
Make mental health services and medications accessible to all
Older adults should have access to affordable mental health services and support, including appropriate medications.
Make telehealth flexibilities permanent
Telehealth can help expand access to treatment and continuity of care for all patients.
Maintain coverage of preventative services without cost-sharing
Congress and the administration should protect access to clinical preventative services without cost-sharing through private insurance.
Make care management more widely available
Congress and the administration should expand care management to address both the health and social needs of patients.
Curb restrictive utilization management practices
Congress and insurers should take action to minimize disruptions in care by curbing restrictive utilization management on patients.
Maintain the six protected classes in Medicare Part D formularies
Legislative or regulatory changes to the six protected classes policy would erode essential patient protections and cause financial burdens.
Smooth out-of-pocket costs throughout the year
Spread out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions evenly over the course of the year so that patients can afford to start and stay on treatment.
Cap out-of-pocket costs
Limiting monthly or annual costs helps people with Medicare access needed treatment and plan for these costs throughout the year.
Make healthcare affordable and accessible to all, without discrimination
Public and private sectors have an obligation to address health inequities, making healthcare affordable and accessible to all without discrimination.
Increase diversity in clinical trials
The public and private sectors must increase representation in clinical trials to reduce barriers to care and foster better health outcomes.
Limit total out-of-pocket costs for all patients
The administration, Congress, and insurers must set policies that make out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications affordable for all.
Enhance the Medicare Part D Extra Help program
Congress and the administration should further enhance the Extra Help program to increase awareness and enrollment.
Expand Medicare to include dental, hearing, and vision benefits
Congress should expand Medicare to ensure adequate dental, hearing, and vision coverage and minimize out-of-pocket spending.
Cap out-of-pocket costs
Limiting monthly or annual costs helps people with Medicare access needed treatment and plan for these costs throughout the year.
Smooth out-of-pocket costs throughout the year
Spread out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions evenly over the course of the year so that patients can afford to start and stay on treatment.
Reduce high upfront health insurance deductibles
Commercial health insurers must mitigate the impact that high upfront deductibles have on patients' ability to start and stay on treatment.
Ban copay accumulator, maximizer, and alternative funding programs
Ban programs that block access to prescribed medications and lead to greater out-of-pocket costs for individuals with serious diseases.
Maintain coverage of preventative services without cost-sharing
Congress and the administration should protect access to clinical preventative services without cost-sharing through private insurance.
Adopt value-based insurance designs
Value-based insurance designs increase access to treatment and affordability for people with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases.
Make mental health services and medications accessible to all
Older adults should have access to affordable mental health services and support, including appropriate medications.
Make telehealth flexibilities permanent
Telehealth can help expand access to treatment and continuity of care for all patients.
Make care management more widely available
Congress and the administration should expand care management to address both the health and social needs of patients.
Maintain the six protected classes in Medicare Part D formularies
Legislative or regulatory changes to the six protected classes policy would erode essential patient protections and cause financial burdens.
Curb restrictive utilization management practices
Congress and insurers should take action to minimize disruptions in care by curbing restrictive utilization management on patients.