Site Search

ALBANY, NY – February 14, 2024 – Protecting free preventive cancer screenings and reducing the burden of medical debt are the top issues of concern for cancer patients and survivors today, according to a new survey by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) that asked participants to select their leading policy priorities for the year.   Over half of (51%) of survey participants noted that ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. August 2, 2012 A significant decrease in cigarette consumption between 2000 and 2011 was offset by the use of other forms of smoked tobacco, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's (CDC) Office on Smoking ... as a way to avoid increased cigarette taxes. A statement from Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows: The CDC 's data clearly demonstrate that the disparity in tax treatment of tobacco products is undercutting our ability to ... reduce tobacco use and save lives. Tax loopholes harm public health by encouraging use of lower-taxed tobacco products, and they have cost governments more than $1 billion in revenue since 2009. More smokers who might otherwise quit are now resorting to other types of tobacco ...

... years ago, New Mexico lawmakers made a commitment to create a permanent fund supported by annual tobacco settlement payments, with the intent of providing stable funding for prevention and cessation programs that reduce devastating tobacco-related illnesses now and into the future. ... points from 19.9 percent to 11.4 percent, thanks in large part to tobacco prevention and cessation programs implemented through the Department of Health and the Indian Affairs Department. Even with these declines, smoking costs New Mexico $844 million each year in direct health care costs. ... consider long-term solutions to the state’s recurring budget shortfalls. This Op-Ed appeared in the NM Political Report on August 29, 2016. It can be viewed at  http://nmpoliticalreport.com/90284/lawmakers-should-avoid-raiding-the-to... Lawmakers should avoid raiding the tobacco permanent ...

Federal Update   Physician networks and hospital systems can play an important role in driving down health care costs and improving quality of care.  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently released ... a report titled "Plan Participation in Health Insurance Exchanges: Implications for Competition and Choice" that looks at how consolidation of hospital systems affects the ability of insurers to negotiate prices.  Increased competition among insurers can help decrease costs and improve ...