Cancer Advocacy Group Backs State Legislation Enhancing Diversity in Clinical Trials
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U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock Receives National Distinguished Advocacy Award for Championing Lifesaving Cancer Public Policy
Award is Highest Honor Presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
September 13, 2022
ATLANTA, GA – September 13, 2022 – United States Senator Raphael Warnock received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award today, the most prestigious award presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in recognition of his significant contributions to the fight against cancer, including his efforts to enact a federal solution to the Medicaid coverage gap.
ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, presents the annual award to select lawmakers who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the area of cancer-related public policy advocacy.
“Senator Warnock has firmly established himself as a true advocate for public health by championing the immense and long overdue need to increase access to care through Medicaid,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “Ensuring limited-income working families have access to affordable health insurance is one of ACS CAN’s top priorities, and we are grateful for Sen. Warnock’s steadfast leadership on this urgent issue. His life-long mission to address health disparities is of great value to our fight against cancer.”
Warnock has been a long-time advocate for the well-being of Georgians as a pastor and community leader and his time in the Senate has been no different. As a U.S. Senator he’s championed efforts to expand access to quality, affordable care for over 646,000 Georgians and over 1.5 million other Americans through a federal Medicaid expansion policy and secured over $1.3 million in federal funds for health care centers in Macon-Bibb county as part of the American Rescue Plan to ensure quality care for rural Georgians. He is also lead sponsor of the Capping Drug Costs for Seniors Act, to create a cap on out-of-pocket costs for individuals with drug coverage through Medicare Part D, a policy enacted in the recent Inflation Reduction Act.
In addition, he’s extended his commitment to addressing health disparities in Black, Latino and rural communities across the state by sponsoring the Health Equity and Accountability Act, which would address long-standing, unjust policies that exacerbate such disparities.
“Sen. Warnock has not only sponsored policies that address the long-standing barriers that prevent so many Georgians from accessing affordable, quality care but has demonstrated a relentless commitment to making such legislation a national priority to reduce the cancer burden in Georgia, our global headquarters,” shared Julie Vojtech, Georgia Government Relations Director for ACS CAN. “We are grateful for the immense progress he’s made toward a world where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to survive a disease like cancer, especially at this critical time for public health.”
The award was presented on Sept. 13 as part of the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Nearly 600 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones met in-person for the first time since 2019 with their elected officials to urge them to support policies that increase funding for cancer research and prevention programs, address barriers that prevent diverse populations from enrolling in clinical trials and help pave the way for access to innovative new multi-cancer early detection technologies.
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