2024 District of Columbia Legislative Priorities

Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold new public policies that promote cancer prevention, early detection of cancer, and expand access to quality, affordable health care. Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of Washingtonians impacted by cancer and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease. In 2024 the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will work with the District of Columbia Council on legislative and regulatory efforts that provide affordable, adequate access to health insurance including Medicaid, ensure adequate funding for lifesaving cancer screening and prevention programs, and enact prevention policies to protect kids from tobacco products and help support those who are trying to quit. We will be making the following fact-based policies a priority and ask for your support:

Ensuring Access to Quality Care

• Prostate Cancer Screening: ACS CAN will advocate for legislation which requires insurance coverage for prostate cancer care and screenings be available annually for eligible persons without cost-sharing.

Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

• Breast and Cervical Cancer: ACS CAN will advocate to sustain Project WISH, the city’s breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment program for low-income uninsured and underinsured women administered by the District’s Department of Health.

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco

• Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding: ACS CAN will work to maintain funding for fact-based, citywide tobacco prevention and cessation programs at $1.9 million.