This week, New York state leaders released details on the state budget for FY 2025-26 and patient advocates are responding with disappointment over the failure to produce solutions to improve New Yorkers’ access to paid leave and, with it, their financial mobility. The same advocates visited Albany last month for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) annual Cancer Action Day to promote the importance of Senate Bill 172/Assembly Bill 84, the proposal to improve New Yorkers’ access to time off during treatment which now has 73 Assembly co-sponsors and passed the Senate in March.
The following is a statement from Michael Davoli, Senior Government Relations Director for ACS CAN:
“Despite repeated calls from cancer survivors across the state and bi-partisan consensus, state leaders once again failed to include improvements to New York’s paid medical leave system in the newly approved state budget. It was ACS CAN’s hope that Governor Hochul and the Legislature would approach this budget with a renewed commitment to continue the work left undone on paid leave. It is clear that that is not the case. We must now look to the Assembly to join the Senate and deal a win to workers across the state by supporting Senate Bill 172/Assembly Bill 84.
“For too long, New Yorkers battling disease have come up against the shortcomings of our state’s current paid leave programs and been forced to make impossible choices—in many cases, their life or their livelihood. With this budget, state leaders missed an opportunity to address those shortcomings and alleviate New York workers’ fears around losing their job, access to health insurance or a livable wage because of a diagnosis like cancer. We hope state leaders seize the next chance—with Senate Bill 172/Assembly Bill 84–to ensure that patients and workers can get what they need without sacrificing the food on their table, roof over their heads or ability to survive and thrive. The Senate passed their bill with strong bi-partisan support and now it is time for the Assembly to do the same.
“Promoting access to care is a core principle for ACS CAN. Though state lawmakers failed to advance legislation preserving New Yorkers’ access to care through paid leave, they did take critical steps to invest in cancer prevention and early detection programs. The cancer community applauds the state for keeping funding level for the New York State Tobacco Control Program and Cancer Services Program, sustaining their invaluable contributions in the fight against cancer.
“With the state budget behind them, ACS CAN is calling on the Assembly to join the Senate in passing both the paid leave bill as well as legislation (Senate Bill 2000) that would eliminate barriers to screening for lung cancer—the leading cause of cancer deaths in New York.”
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.
