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American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Priority for 2021 Legislative Session

ACS CAN Looks Forward to Working with the Legislature to Reduce the Cancer Burden in the New Year

January 13, 2021

RALEIGH, NC – January 13, 2020 – As lawmakers dive into the first day of the 2021 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) looks ahead to what public health initiatives our lawmakers can accomplish in the new year. 

All individuals deserve to live full, healthy lives now and long after the pandemic passes. That’s why ACS CAN is advocating for legislation that will have the most impact in reducing the cancer burden in the state including:

  • Ensuring Access to Quality Care: ACS CAN will advocate for low-income individuals and families to have access to health insurance coverage through state Medicaid programs and support policies that preserve funding and access to Medicaid for low-income parents and adults by increasing eligibility up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.
  • Cancer Prevention and Early Detection: ACS CAN will advocate to maintain funding of $1.6 million for the state breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment program for low-income uninsured and underinsured women administered by the North Carolina Department of Health.
  • Reducing the Toll of Tobacco: ACS CAN will work to fund and sustain evidence-based, statewide tobacco use prevention and cessation programs at $1.8 million. Additionally, ACS CAN will advocate 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.

Cancer patients, survivors and advocates look forward to meeting virtually with lawmakers over these issues during ACS CAN's annual Cancer Action Week Days running April 20 – 22nd. ACS CAN encourages individuals, businesses and organizations that are interested in these issues to reach out to ACS CAN to get involved in the fight against cancer at fightcancer.org/NC.

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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (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, visit www.fightcancer.org.

More Press Releases AboutIncreased Access to Medicaid, Tobacco Control, Cancer Prevention, North Carolina

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