2026 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvanians impacted by cancer, and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease. In 2026 the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will work with the Pennsylvania General Assembly 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 ask you to support the following fact-based policies:

Ensuring Access to Quality Care

Medicaid Defense:

The preservation of eligibility, coverage, and access to Medicaid remains critically important for low-income state residents who depend on the program for cancer and chronic disease prevention, as well as early detection, diagnostic, and treatment services. ACS CAN will work to ensure Medicaid enrollees have adequate access and coverage and will oppose proposals that create barriers or reduce access to care for cancer patients, survivors, and those who could be diagnosed with cancer.

Prescription Drug Affordability:

ACS CAN supports legislation which restricts the use of so-called copay accumulator adjustments in health insurance plans. We will also advocate for policies that ensure third party prescription drug copay assistance is counted toward patients’ out-of-pocket cost obligations.

Reduce Patient Medical Debt:

ACS CAN will advocate for policies that prevent the occurrence of medical debt and reduce the impact of medical debt on individuals and families.

Paid Family and Medical Leave:

ACS CAN will advocate for legislation that ensures all working cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers have access to paid family and medical leave that allows them to take time off work for their own or a loved one’s care without losing their job or income.

Cancer Prevention and Early Detection 

Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening:

ACS CAN will advocate to maintain funding of $2.563 million for the Pennsylvania Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, the state breast and cervical cancer screening program for low-income uninsured and underinsured individuals administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Prostate Cancer Screening:

ACS CAN will advocate for policies that improve prostate cancer screening rates and reduce disparities. This includes policies that would give men at high-risk for prostate cancer improved access to prostate cancer screening by requiring state-regulated health insurance coverage for evidence-based prostate cancer screenings, without cost sharing.

Colorectal Cancer Screening:

ACS CAN will advocate for policies that improve access to colorectal cancer screening and reduce disparities in access to screening by requiring state-regulated plans to cover these screenings without cost-sharing.

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding:

ACS CAN will work in coalition to increase funding for the fact-based, statewide tobacco prevention and cessation programs. We will work to offset the anticipated shortfall of $2.4 million in federal dollars and possible declines to the Master Settlement Agreement funds for the program. We will seek funding through a $1.50 increase in the state’s tobacco tax and through state budget advocacy. Funding is critical for the program’s continued success and to enable Pennsylvania to meaningfully prevent tobacco-related cancers and deaths.

Smoke-free Air:

ACS CAN will work to implement a statewide comprehensive smoke-free law that covers all workplaces including restaurants, bars, and gaming facilities and includes all forms of smoking including cannabis and this use of e-cigarettes. 

For more information, contact:

Donna Greco, Pennsylvania Government Relations Director, ACS CAN
[email protected]