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It’s a Wrap!

... legislative session – more than 20 days past the usual 100-day timeframe. As always, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and its volunteer advocates worked hard to convince lawmakers to make cancer a top policy priority this session.    More than a hundred ... 22 this year.  Most met with their lawmakers to discuss two major bills we pushed this session:   Legislation to raise the age for sale of tobacco products to 21 was approved by the House Health Committee, but blocked by the Chair of the House Commerce Committee.  We plan to make another run at this legislation next session.  We know that 95 percent of adult smokers started ...

Senate President Joins Health Advocates to Announce Bill to Increase Tobacco Taxes

... per pack. To parallel that new amount, the legislation also increases taxes on other tobacco products, like cigars and smokeless tobacco, to 64% of the wholesale price. “It’s rare that you can sponsor legislation and know that it will save lives. That’s exactly what this will do,” Cullerton said. “It will stop children from starting to smoke and cause many adult smokers to quit, sparing them from a lifetime of addiction and associated health problems. That’s why the public supports it.” In addition to the legislation, advocates released poll ...

Guest Column: Affordable health insurance is still needed

With our combined ages, we’ve lived 138 years on this planet. We’ve witnessed huge progress — a moon landing, the invention of the cell phone and medical advances beyond our wildest imagination. And yet, our lawmakers can’t work together to improve access to affordable and adequate health coverage in America and are, instead, considering proposals that could ... and lose your health coverage, a plan you purchase in the future may not be required to offer the treatments and services you need at a cost you can afford. What if you are one of the 24,000 residents who are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year? Those on Medicaid could be ...

Patient Advocates: Congress Intended for Tax Credits in Federal and State Marketplaces

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 27, 2015 – In a friend-of-the-court brief filed today with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of King v. Burwell, leading groups fighting chronic disease provide scientific evidence of the grave consequences if millions of people nationwide ... diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and stroke than are people with health insurance. Being uninsured with a serious chronic disease can also result in more expensive care, a greater risk of personal bankruptcy and higher health care costs system-wide. For example, published data ...

Huge Victory: Big Tobacco Companies Now Must Tell the Truth

... cigarette. Tobacco companies designed cigarettes to make them more addictive. There is no safe exposure to secondhand smoke. Thanks to the work of ACS CAN and others, we’ve been able to reduce tobacco use throughout the country.  Our three-legged approach has included increasing taxes on ... with evidence-based programs and resources to help them quit. Despite major progress in reducing tobacco use, it is still the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. and kills more than 480,000 Americans every year. An epidemic created entirely by the companies who have lied to ...

Relaxing Medicaid Maintenance Requirements Would Create Barrier to Coverage for Patients with Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 11, 2011 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association are jointly calling on Congress to oppose the State Flexibility Act, a bill that ... reverse current law and allow states to tighten Medicaid eligibility before health benefit exchanges are created in 2014.  The “Maintenance of Effort” (MOE) provision was first included in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and renewed in the Affordable Care Act to prevent states from scaling back coverage for some of the sickest Americans before other coverage options became available. A statement from the three patient groups follows: “Rolling back ...

South Dakotans Want State to Cover Uninsured Through Medicaid

...   SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Jan. 13, 2014 – Public opinion polling released today by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shows that registered voters in South Dakota want their state to accept federal funds that are available to broaden access to health coverage ... and public affairs research firm Public Opinion Strategies, was fielded in November 2013. South Dakota lawmakers currently face the decision of whether to make health coverage under Medicaid available to individuals and families up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, as urged by federal health care reform. The poll was answered by 400 registered voters in South Dakota and has a ...

Bill Would Increase Access to Colon Cancer Screenings and Treatments for Medically Underserved

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- February 27, 2009 -- Critical legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, which would ensure access to colon cancer screening and treatment for those Americans who need them most. This bill will build on efforts to improve access to health care and elevate the importance of refocusing our health care system on preventing disease altogether, rather than trying to save individuals after they become sick. The ... lifesaving screening because they cannot afford it," said Daniel E. Smith, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). "We urge Congress to pass this crucial legislation to help us stop one of the few cancers we CAN prevent in many cases." Passage of H.R. 1189 ...

Cancer Patients, Survivors Travel to Juneau to Urge Legislators to Push Harder Against the Tobacco Industry & Expand Telehealth Access

... caregivers from throughout Alaska gathered Tuesday at the Capitol building to ask legislators to prioritize public health over the profit margin of the Tobacco Industry.  The visit was part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s annual Cancer Action Day, an event that ... suffering and death from cancer, but there is more we need to do to protect and support our friends and families,” said Emily Nenon, ACS CAN Alaska Government Relations Director. She continued: “The Tobacco Industry is working to addict a new generation of customers and the ... Capitol are working with legislators to change that. Tobacco use in Alaska is both a leading cause of preventable death and a leading healthcare cost driver. ACS CAN’s 2024 legislative focus will be on supporting funding for the state tobacco prevention and cessation program and protecting ...

2010 Maryland Legislative Priorities and Agenda

2010 Maryland Legislative Agenda   The Society will advocate reforming the health care system in Maryland to include the provision of medical care for Maryland residents newly diagnosed with cancer.   The Society will advocate increasing State funding for the Breast and ... laws.   The Society will advocate improving physical education in Maryland public schools.     Legislative Priorities as prescribed by ACS CAN   Increase Access to Health Care The American Cancer Society believes that all persons should have access to comprehensive, affordable quality ... Assure Access to Cancer Screening and Treatment The American Cancer Society believes that state laws requiring insurance carriers to cover the cost of routine cancer screenings and treatment are needed to protect health care quality.  The Society will advocate protecting laws that assure ...

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