Behind the Scenes: How GO2 Works to Protect Access to Lung Cancer Care
March 3, 2026
At GO2 for Lung Cancer, helping patients and families is at the heart of what we do. Our support services connect people to trusted information, help them navigate care, and offer guidance during difficult moments.
At the same time, GO2 also works behind the scenes on health policy. This work focuses on the laws and decisions that shape whether people can get screened, see the right specialists, afford treatment, and receive follow-up care. Together, direct support and policy advocacy help ensure that people affected by lung cancer can get the care they need when they need it.
Expanding access to lung cancer screening
Early detection saves lives. That’s why expanding access to lung cancer screening is one of GO2’s top priorities.
Rules about who qualifies for lung cancer screening can make a big difference. These guidelines decide who is eligible for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans and whether insurance covers the cost. When screening rules are too narrow or outdated, some people who are still at high risk may not be able to get screened.
GO2 is closely engaged as national screening recommendations come up for review. These reviews are important opportunities to update guidelines based on new research and real-world experience. Today, some individuals—such as certain people with a smoking history—may still face a higher risk of lung cancer but do not meet current screening criteria.
GO2 also works to ensure that Medicare coverage keeps pace with updated screening guidance. This is especially important for older adults who are more likely to develop lung cancer. When coverage rules do not match current medical guidance, people may face delays or barriers to screening that could help detect cancer earlier.
Through ongoing advocacy, GO2 works to ensure that lung cancer screening guidelines and coverage policies reflect current real-world evidence and updated clinical guidelines, so more people who could benefit from screening are able to access it.
Ensuring access to timely diagnosis and biomarker testing
Screening is only the first step in the lung cancer care experience. When a suspicious finding appears on a scan, patients need timely diagnostic evaluation and testing to determine the best path forward.
An important part of this process is biomarker testing, which analyzes a tumor’s genetic features to help doctors identify treatments that may work best for a specific patient. Many modern lung cancer treatments depend on these results, making timely access to testing critical for guiding treatment decisions.
GO2 works to improve access to biomarker testing through both policy and system-level efforts. This includes supporting state legislation that helps ensure insurance coverage for biomarker testing and advocating for its inclusion in state cancer plans and other cancer control initiatives.
By advancing policies and best practices that support timely and appropriate testing, GO2 helps provide patients and their care teams with the information they need to choose the most effective treatment options.
GO2 also works with national partners and policymakers to advance policies that support appropriate biomarker testing and ensure that patients across the country can benefit from the latest advances in precision medicine.
Supporting access throughout the care journey
Access challenges don’t stop after screening. Many policies affect care at every stage from diagnosis and treatment to follow-up and survivorship. GO2 works to ensure these policies support patients rather than create new obstacles.
One important tool is telehealth. Telehealth allows patients to talk with healthcare providers by phone or video, making it easier to have screening conversations, meet with specialists, manage care, and check in after treatment. For people who live far from cancer centers, have trouble traveling, or juggle work and family responsibilities, telehealth can make care more reachable.
As healthcare rules continue to change, GO2 advocates for telehealth policies that are practical, fair, and patient-friendly. The goal is to make sure virtual care remains an option, especially when it helps patients stay connected to the care they need.
Making sure the patient voice is heard
GO2 also works with other patient advocacy organizations to strengthen the patient voice in health policy discussions. By working together, patient groups can raise shared concerns and help decision-makers understand how policies affect real people.
This teamwork helps ensure that lung cancer needs are considered in broader healthcare decisions especially when policies are designed for many conditions at once but may affect cancer patients in unique ways.
Improving affordability of lung cancer treatment
The cost of treatment is a major concern for many people facing lung cancer. GO2 closely follows changes to Medicare drug coverage and pricing rules that affect how much patients pay for their medications.
Recent changes to federal law are reshaping how prescription drug costs are handled under Medicare. GO2’s policy work focuses on making sure these changes truly help patients afford their medications without limiting access to the treatments their doctors recommend.
By monitoring how new rules are put into practice, GO2 works to identify and address any unintended consequences that could make it harder for patients to get the care they need.
Addressing insurance barriers when they arise
Sometimes, even when guidelines and policies are in place, insurance coverage decisions can still create problems for patients. When this happens, GO2 speaks up.
GO2 engages directly with health plans when coverage rules or restrictions limit access to needed cancer treatments, especially for people with rare or specific types of lung cancer. These efforts focus on ensuring that coverage decisions keep pace with medical advances and recognize that different patients need different treatments.
This kind of targeted advocacy helps reinforce a simple but important message: cancer care should be guided by medical evidence and individual patient needs—not one-size-fits-all rules.
One goal: Helping patients get the care they need
Whether providing direct support to patients, advocating for expanded screening, protecting access to care tools like telehealth, working to improve affordability, or addressing insurance barriers, GO2’s work is guided by one goal: helping people affected by lung cancer access timely, high-quality care.
Some of this work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt every day. GO2 remains committed to supporting patients and families—both through direct services and through advocacy that helps make the healthcare system work better for everyone affected by lung cancer. Learn more about our advocacy work.
Lung cancer questions? Contact our free HelpLine at support@go2.org or 1-800-298-2436.