Press Room

This week, New York state leaders released details on the state budget for FY 2025-26 and patient advocates are responding with disappointment over the failure to produce solutions to improve New Yorkers’ access to paid leave and, with it, their financial mobility. The same advocates visited Albany last month for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) annual Cancer Action Day to promote the importance of Senate Bill 172/Assembly Bill 84, the proposal to improve New Yorkers’ access to time off during treatment which now has 73 Assembly co-sponsors and passed the Senate in March.   

Today, advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) came from across the Lower Hudson Valley to deliver a message to Rep. Mike Lawler, urging him to protect Medicaid and highlighting how looming cuts would harm the nearly 7 million New Yorkers, including working families, cancer patients and survivors, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans and children, who receive lifesaving care through Medicaid.

Over 130 volunteer advocates from across New York, including cancer survivors, patients and caregivers, convened at the state Capitol today for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ an event hosted annually by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Advocates met with their state lawmakers and urged them to support policies that aid in the fight against cancer. 

This afternoon, the New York State Senate unanimously passed legislation that would eliminate cost-sharing for lung cancer screenings and follow-up tests for all eligible New Yorkers insured through a state-regulated health plan, including Medicaid. Senate Bill 2000, sponsored by Senator Joseph Addabbo, received sweeping, bipartisan support and the backing of a coalition of patient advocates, medical leaders and public health organizations.

A statement from John Manna, Jr., Esq., Vice Chair of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Board of Directors and constituent of former U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, on her passing.

This afternoon, the New York State Senate will advance legislation (Senate Bill 172) that would improve New Yorkers’ access to paid medical leave with senators lending sweeping, bipartisan support. The Assembly companion legislation (Assembly Bill 84) awaits similar consideration, and advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are urging Assemblymembers to vote in support.

A statement from Michael Davoli, senior government relations director in New York for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, on the passing of Dr. Hazel Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference.

Earlier today while New York State lawmakers held a hearing on workforce development-related budget items, cancer survivors and patient advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) gathered outside the hearing room to showcase their support for Senate Bill 172 and Assembly Bill 84 to improve access to paid family and medical leave for New York workers.

This morning, NYC Councilmember Rita Joseph hosted a press conference at City Hall in conjunction with the No More Menthols NYC coalition to promote the importance of her groundbreaking proposal to end the sale of menthol cigarettes. Councilmember Joseph stood alongside civil rights, religious and community leaders from the NAACP, Arc of Justice, African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council and more, to send a resounding message to the NYC Council: though Big Tobacco remains committed to addicting New Yorkers to menthol cigarettes, advocates will continue to fight to save lives and lungs from the harms of menthols. Enough is enough.

The following is a statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New York Senior Government Relations Director Michael Davoli:

“Coming off Governor Hochul’s State of the State address earlier this week, where access to and the costs of health care were sparingly mentioned, patient advocates are hopeful that the governor prioritizes health care affordability in her executive budget proposal for FY 2025-26.