Alex Wiles
Sr. Regional Media Advocacy Manager
Las Vegas, NV
Hawai’i Cancer Community Urges State Lawmakers to Defend Medicaid and Expand Colon Cancer Screening Access
January 27, 2026
With the 2026 legislative session now underway in Hawai’i, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is leading efforts to work with lawmakers on several initiatives which include defending Medicaid and expanding access to screenings for colorectal cancer for the state’s most vulnerable communities.
ACS CAN is collaborating with the Hawai’i State Legislature on accomplishing the following during the 2026 session:
Medicaid Defense: The preservation of eligibility, coverage, and access to Medicaid remains critically important for many low-income Hawaiians who depend on the program for cancer and chronic disease prevention, as well as early detection, diagnostic, and treatment services. ACS CAN is working to ensure Medicaid enrollees have adequate access and coverage and will oppose proposals that create barriers or reduce access to care for cancer patients, survivors, and those who could be diagnosed with cancer.
Colorectal Cancer (Pass HB1969 and SB2859): ACS CAN is working to increase access to colorectal cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured individuals, including the follow-up colonoscopy required after a positive noninvasive screening test.
Biomarker Testing: ACS CAN will continue to advocate for improved coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing which is an important step to accessing precision medicine. This includes targeted therapies that can lead to improved survivorship and better quality of life for cancer patients. However, insurance coverage for biomarker testing is failing to keep pace with innovations and advances in treatment.
Fertility Preservation: Some cancer treatments can cause infertility, and individuals with cancer may choose to preserve their fertility prior to treatment. ACS CAN supports legislation that would provide cancer patients with health insurance coverage for fertility preservation consistent with recommended medical guidelines.
Tobacco Control: Protect funding for fact-based, statewide tobacco prevention and cessation programs; defend the statewide smoke-free law against any exemptions; expand statewide smoke-free law to prohibit the use of cannabis wherever smoking is prohibited.
“Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of our ohana living with cancer,” said Cynthia Au, ACS CAN Hawai’i Government Relations Director. “We need the leadership of state legislators to help fight this disease. Our legislature has a history of making a positive impact when it comes to cancer in Hawai’i and we are hopeful that trend will continue this session.”
According to the annual Cancer Statistics 2026 report released last week by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the cancer death rate has declined by 34% since its peak in 1991, averting about 4.8 million cancer deaths as of 2023. The decline is due to reductions in smoking, earlier detection, and advances in treatment. Furthermore, for people diagnosed with cancer between 2015 and 2021, the five-year survival rate has reached 70%, marking a big milestone.
While the decline is good news, cancer continues to be a pervasive issue facing Hawaiians. In 2026, more than 9,400 residents are expected to be diagnosed with cancer. Separately, nearly 2,700 people are expected to lose their lives from the disease statewide.
On Tuesday, March 17th, cancer survivors and patients from across the state will unite at the state capitol in Honolulu for Cancer Action Day. All plan to meet with their state lawmakers about supporting the policies mentioned above.
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