ACS CAN 2026 New York City Priorities

2026 New York City Legislative Agenda

Download the document here. 

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 New York State residents 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 Mayor, the New York City Council and other city leaders 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

• Patient Navigation: ACS CAN will advocate for New York City to appropriate funding for community-based patient navigation services provided to individuals who are eligible for cancer screening, follow-up, or treatment services in the neighborhoods with the highest cancer mortality rates. Investing in patient navigation would help improve patient outcomes and help New York City reach the HealthyNYC goal of reducing deaths from cancers that can be detected early through routine screening by 20% by 2030.
• Paid Time Off For Cancer Screening: ACS CAN will advocate for legislation that ensures almost all working New Yorkers have a guaranteed right to paid time off from work for cancer screening by requiring most private employers to permit their employees to take up to five (5) hours annually of paid time off for their doctor recommended cancer screening.
• Transportation Services: ACS CAN will advocate for New York City to appropriate funding to provide transportation services to New York City residents who are receiving treatment at cancer centers in New York City.

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco

• Ending the Sale of Menthol Cigarettes and Reforming How Tobacco Laws are Enforced: ACS CAN will advocate for legislation that will end the sale of menthol cigarettes by the more than 4,000 licensed cigarette dealers in New York City and will reform how our tobacco laws are enforced.

For more information, contact: Michael Davoli, New York State Sr. Government Relations Director [email protected] I 646-502-9145

ACS CAN is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state, and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, please visit www.fightcancer.org.

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