2026 Georgia Legislative Summary

2026 Georgia Legislative Session Summary

Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold new public policies that promote cancer prevention, early detection of cancer, and expanding access to quality, affordable health care. Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of Georgians touched by cancer and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease. In 2026 the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) worked with the Georgia General Assembly on legislative and regulatory efforts that addressed disruption in cancer care and screenings; provide affordable, adequate access to healthcare insurance including Medicaid; as well appropriations funding for lifesaving cancer screening and prevention policies that help people that use tobacco products quit and deter kids from ever using tobacco products. We made the following evidence-based policies a priority and ask for your support: 

Ensuring Access to Quality Care

• Medicaid Expansion: ACS CAN advocated for low-income individuals and families to have access to health insurance coverage through state Medicaid programs. We supported policies that preserve funding and access to Medicaid for low-income parents and adults and advocated for full Medicaid expansion in Georgia that includes increased eligibility up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. 

Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

• Breast and Cervical Cancer: ACS CAN advocated to maintain funding of $3.3 million for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program in Georgia, the state’s breast and cervical cancer screening program for low-income uninsured and underinsured women administered by Georgia Department of Community Health.

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco

• Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding: ACS CAN worked to increase funding for evidence-based, statewide tobacco prevention and cessation programs by asking the state of Georgia to apply for federal funds that were not received in 2025 because the state ended their program.
• Access to Tobacco Cessation:  ACS CAN advocated for all insurance plans, including the state Medicaid program, to provide a comprehensive cessation benefit that covers individual, group, and telephone counseling and all FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications without cost-sharing or other barriers to accessing care.

--- For more information, contact:  

Beth Johnson, Regional Government Relations Director ACS CAN [email protected]

ACS CAN is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state, and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information please visit www.fightcancer.org.