I’m a radiation therapy student, and one of the hardest things to witness is not just cancer itself, but what happens when a patient is ready for treatment and insurance gets in the way. I see how scared people already are walking into healthcare because of cost, billing, and the fear of what will show up afterward. Then on top of that, some patients are denied certain radiation treatments they need. That is devastating to watch, because cancer is not something anyone chooses, and treatment should not depend on whether an insurance company decides to make it harder.

This does not just affect one patient or one clinic. It affects families already carrying the emotional, physical, and financial weight of a cancer diagnosis. When people are forced to delay care, fight denials, or wonder how they will pay their medical bills, the stress becomes part of the illness. No one dealing with cancer should have to spend their energy begging to be approved for medically necessary treatment.

That is why I am calling on state insurance regulators and state lawmakers to require insurance companies to cover medically necessary radiation treatment for cancer when a qualified medical team says it is needed. Patients need clear protections against unfair denials, and providers need a process that does not leave people stuck waiting while their care hangs in the balance. Healthcare is already hard enough without billing and insurance becoming another obstacle between a patient and treatment.

If you believe cancer patients deserve care without unnecessary insurance barriers, please sign this petition. Let’s push for real protections so patients can focus on healing instead of fighting to get the treatment they need.