According to a new report released last week by the American Cancer Society, the number of people living with a history of cancer in the United States is estimated at 18.6 million and projected to exceed 22 million by 2035. The new report also revealed that, in New York State, there are over 1.2 million cancer survivors alive today. The findings come at the start of National Cancer Survivors Month, which brought cancer survivors and advocates to the New York State Capitol earlier today to honor the lives touched by cancer and remind state lawmakers of the difference they can make in the fight against the disease.
With the legislative session scheduled to end next week, cancer survivors and advocates came together to highlight how state lawmakers can build off their progress from last week when they passed legislation to remove barriers to lung cancer screening. The advocates at today’s rally shared their stories and urged the Assembly to bring critical legislation to the floor that will ensure that cancer patients and others can take time off for treatment without risking their income.
The proposal in focus, Assembly Bill 84, would remove the $170/week cap on benefits for one’s serious health condition and increase that cap to 67% of the State’s average weekly wage by 2029. Additionally, it would provide coverage for intermittent leave and protect workers’ jobs and health insurance during medical leave.
“All working cancer patients, survivors and caregivers should have access to paid family and medical leave that allows them to take time off work, including intermittently, to attend to their own or a loved one’s care without losing their job or income. No cancer patient should have to choose between feeding their family and keeping up with their treatment,” said Michael Davoli, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Senior Government Relations Director.
Assembly Bill 84, sponsored by Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, now has 89 sponsors and is supported by a coalition of more than 50 organizations, including the ACS CAN, 1199 SEIU, AFL-CIO, Citizen Action of NY, the Community Service Society, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), the Teamsters and more.
It passed overwhelmingly in the Senate in March--for the second year in a row. To the disappointment of many in the cancer community, the paid leave proposal has yet to be brought to a vote in the Assembly despite receiving the support of three-quarters of all Assembly Democrats as well as many Assembly Republicans.
“In 2024, lawmakers missed the opportunity to alleviate a definitive burden for patients and families in New York, extending the nearly 30-year stretch of inaction from the state on this issue. The cancer community is hopeful that state lawmakers won’t let another year go by before they improve access to paid leave for the first time since 1989,” said Davoli. “On behalf of the 1.2 million cancer survivors in New York State and the 123,000 New Yorker who will hear the words ‘you have cancer’ this year, I implore the Assembly to stand with them and pass this critical legislation.”
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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.