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2021 Legislative Priorities

Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold new public policies that promote cancer prevention, early detection of cancer, and expanded access to quality, affordable health care. Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of Georgians touched by cancer and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease. In 2021, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will work with the Georgia Legislature on legislative and regulatory efforts that address disruption in cancer care and screenings; provide affordable, adequate access to healthcare insurance, including Medicaid; and fund lifesaving cancer screening and prevention policies that help people quit using tobacco products and deter kids from ever initiating tobacco use . We will be making the following evidence-based policies a priority and ask for your support:

Ensuring Access to Quality Care

Medicaid Expansion:

ACS CAN will advocate for low-income individuals and families to have access to health insurance coverage through state Medicaid programs. Specifically, ACS CAN will continue to advocate for full Medicaid expansion, providing low-income parents and adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) access to comprehensive and affordable health insurance coverage. Georgia’s recently approved “Pathways to Coverage” (1115 waiver program) continues to deny low-income cancer patients and survivors access to health insurance coverage – falling short of our organizational priority and goal to reduce cancer incidence and mortality.

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco

Protecting Local Control:

ACS CAN will advocate to ensure that local jurisdictions have the authority to pass stronger regulations than the state on issues related to tobacco control and other matters impacting the public’s health