Patient access report insights shared in NASP newsletter

Patients living with chronic health conditions rate the overall state of healthcare access in the U.S. a “C,” according to the PAN Foundation Center for Patient Research’s flagship State of Patient Access Report initiative. And survey results suggest that patients with rare conditions experience more negative impacts of medical costs than those living with cancer or other chronic conditions.

In this article from the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy’s The Advocate Newsletter (pages 16-18), PAN Foundation Chief Mission Officer Amy Niles, highlights key findings from the 2025 State of Patient Access Report. In addition, she highlights what the PAN Foundation is doing to address the barriers highlighted in the report and what steps specialty pharmacies can take to help improve healthcare access and affordability for the patients they serve.

In addition to advocating for policy solutions, specialty pharmacies can talk with patients about their healthcare access and affordability challenges, identify resources to share with patients, and empower their staff and team members to help patients navigate their healthcare journeys.

“Healthcare costs, insurance barriers, and medical debt are preventing patients with chronic illnesses in the U.S. from accessing essential treatments and medications,” reports Niles. The 2025 report findings show that healthcare access remains a significant challenge for many Americans, and that patients urgently need lasting policy solutions to healthcare access barriers, Niles explains. “That’s why we at the PAN Foundation remain committed to working with policymakers, patients, healthcare professionals, and patient advocacy organizations to break down barriers to care.”