Judicial Advocacy Initiative

Taking the Cancer Fight to the Courts

This initiative identifies lawsuits and regulatory actions that impact the fight against cancer and files "friend of the court" briefs or comments to advocate on behalf of cancer patients and survivors, and all people touched by this terrible disease. The work accomplished by the Judicial Advocacy Initiative is made possible by law firms who are recruited by ACS CAN and who donate services to support its mission.

Initiative Priorities

Court decisions can have a major impact on the fight against cancer. ACS CAN engages most frequently in cases affecting access to healthcare and tobacco control. JAI takes the fight against cancer to the courts, protecting the interests of the cancer community.

Our Supporters

The JAI receives pro bono assistance from 11 law firms: Anderson & Kreiger, Akin, Baker Donelson, Democracy Forward, Dentons, Eversheds Sutherland, Hogan Lovells, K&L Gates, Kilpatrick Townsend, Morrison & Foerster, Potomac Law Group, and Zuckerman Spaeder. Their donated services leverage a multi-sector partnership for the common good. They provide specialized expertise in a wide range of areas, from writing comments to regulatory agencies that govern medical research to tobacco control litigation. Their commitment to JAI indicates that respected professionals in the legal establishment believe the program can make a difference.

Commemorating 15 Years of Judicial Advocacy

In August 2023 we celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Judicial Advocacy Initiative (JAI) . Read the full blog post to learn more.

Access to Care

October 6, 2026

Defending Immigrants’ Access to Medicaid

Immigration policy of the Biden administration directed the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to interpret the “public charge” rule in a way that helps ensure that immigrants can access health care and other supplemental government services to which they are entitled by law, without causin

September 10, 2026

Medicaid and Medicaid Frailty

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBRA) includes provisions requiring individuals who receive insurance coverage through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion to complete at least 80 hours per month of work or other qualifying community engagement (known as “Medic

September 8, 2026

Opposing Marketplace Integrity Rule That Will Result in Millions Losing Health Insurance

ACS CAN has joined three amicus briefs in litigation challenging the Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Rule finalized in June of 2025 by the U.S.

Tobacco Litigation

August 28, 2026

Holding FDA Accountable for Regulation of New Tobacco Products

ACS CAN joined the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes, and the Truth Initiative, along with some individual plaintiffs in a

November 18, 2025

Critical Tobacco Control Programs at Risk

In March of 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it was cutting more than 10,000 jobs as part of a major restructuring that will impact operations at the U.S.

June 20, 2025

Venue for Flavored E-Cigarette Cases

ACS CAN worked with tobacco control partners in filing numerous amicus briefs supporting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in cases across the nation in which the agency issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) for flavored e-cigarette products as part of the premarket review process.

Healthy Eating and Active Living

April 16, 2018

Sugar-sweetened Beverages

Sugary drinks contribute to obesity, which is clearly associated with an increased risk of cancer development and recurrence, as well as decreased risk of survival, for many cancers. The city of Philadelphia enacted a tax on soda that was challenged in court.

October 31, 2017

San Francisco’s Law on Sugar-sweetened Beverage Advertising

Quality of Life

July 11, 2025

Defending the Medical Debt Rule

A rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in early January 2025 banned inclusion of medical bills on credit reports used by lenders and prohibiting lenders from using medical information in their lending decisions. The agency removed a regulatory exception that had permitt

April 10, 2013

Protecting Cancer Survivors Against Discrimination

Comments Submitted to the EEOC

Medical Research

June 11, 2025

Supporting FDA Regulation of LDT's

Cancer patients rely on accurate and clinically valid diagnostic tests, which have become increasingly critical in the management of cancer.

May 24, 2013

Comments Submitted on Common Rule Sought to Ease Administrative Burden for Medical Researchers

The Office of Human Research Protections at the Department of Health and Human Services spent years considering changes to the Common Rule, which governs the conduct of medical research funded by 15 different federal agencies.

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