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JACKSON, MS — February 18, 2021 — The unpredictable and dynamic nature of COVID-19 is no match for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network's (ACS CAN) volunteers' steadfast commitment. Because of the virus and the elevated risk for those with compromised immune systems, cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers from across are traveled ...

JACKSON, MS – February 4, 2021 – As lawmakers continually look to address the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to significantly increase Mississippi’s dangerously low tobacco taxes (40th cigarette tax in the nation) has ... heightened awareness on the important role public health plays in Mississippians’ ability to live a full and healthy life, free from the ills of tobacco use. “With annual health expenditures in directly caused by smoking totaling $1.23 billion, increasing the cigarette tax by $1.50 per ... declines. In just 5 years, the state would save $1.81 million in Medicaid costs,” shared American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Mississippi Government Relations Director Kimberly Hughes. Research shows that enacting a large tobacco tax increase is one of the most ...

... is a statement from Kimberly Hughes, Mississippi government relations director at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), on the legislature’s failure to take up legislation on a tobacco tax increase that would have saved lives and money in Mississippi: ... lawmakers made a disappointing decision to not take up legislation that could have saved lives from tobacco use. If they increased the price of tobacco by $1.50, lawmakers could have reduced tobacco use and, therefore, tobacco-related diseases, like cancer, saved in health care costs and ... have saved lives, stopped 22,800 kids from smoking and generated more than $166 million in new, annual, state revenue. “Increasing the price of tobacco is one of the most effective ways to prevent kids from becoming addicted to these deadly products and to help encourage those already ...

... health care coverage crisis. In response, Mississippi Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Kimberly Hughes released the following statement: “We are disappointed the legislature failed to listen to Mississippians and expand ... go even longer without access to lifesaving care. We know Medicaid is a critical state–federal health insurance program that serves millions of Americans, including over 37 million children. One-third of childhood cancer patients rely on Medicaid to access essential treatments and 20% of adults with a history of cancer in rural areas rely on ...