Updates matching "New Jersey"

Patient advocates and medical and public health leaders are renewing their call for an increased state investment in cancer research after the FY27 state budget maintained level funding for the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR). The budget was finalized as support for legislation to increase annual state funding

Earlier today, legislation was introduced in the New Jersey Assembly as a companion to Senate Bill 773, proposing to increase the state’s investment in the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR). Assembly Bill 4579 would establish a dedicated, non-lapsing investment in the amount of $10 million, utilizing a greater proportion of the state tobacco tax revenue to do so. With bills now moving in both chambers, survivors and advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are encouraged by the growing momentum to expand support for cancer research and accelerate lifesaving innovations.

This Thursday, January 15, will mark 20 years since former Governor Richard Codey signed into law the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act, landmark legislation that balked precedent and risked the unknown in service of New Jerseyans’ health, quality of life and ability to thrive. It paid off, bringing smoking rates down across the state and allowing businesses to thrive in a new landscape. Unfortunately, casinos were excluded from such progress, and their business and employees’ health have suffered as a result. Now, days away from a new administration, health advocates are calling on state leaders to finally—after two decades—close the casino loophole.

Cancer patients, survivors and advocates are marking the American Cancer Society's 49th annual Great American Smokeout by calling on elected officials across the state to do more to reduce tobacco use. The Great American Smokeout is a day for people who smoke or use any form of tobacco, including e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches, to create a plan to quit.

Last night, advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), NJ Citizen Action and the NJ Black Empowerment Coalition convened a roundtable discussion on the impacts of the budget reconciliation bill in front of Congress on Americans’ access to Medicaid and Marketplace coverage.

Earlier this week, the New Jersey State Assembly voted to advance a bill that seeks to create more stability for patients. The proposal (Assembly Bill 5217) would curb an unfair insurance practice that makes critical medication more expensive and access unpredictable. With its passage in committee, advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are hopeful that the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee see the bill’s momentum as a call to action to take the final steps to pass and enact the necessary reforms.

Yesterday, both chambers in the New Jersey State Legislature passed legislation (Assembly Bill 4163 / Senate Bill 3098) to increase access to biomarker testing, which can help determine the best treatment plan for each patient. The bill will now go to Governor Murphy’s desk, providing him the opportunity to ensure coverage of this essential testing for more New Jerseyans. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is leading the efforts on this significant policy change to ensure more patients can get the testing needed to access precision medicine.

Earlier this week, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy released his proposed budget for 2025. In response, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey Government Relations Director Quinton Law issued the following statement, highlighting how Governor Murphy can amplify his intended impact of improving public health and addressing the deficit by increasing the cigarette tax by $1 per pack.

Last month, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released its annual report on cancer facts and trends, which found that, between 2017 and 2021, New Jersey had the highest incidence of pancreatic cancer behind D.C. It also found that progress is lagging for pancreatic cancer with incidence and mortality both increasing, and the 5-year survival for 9 out of 10 people diagnosed with tumors in the exocrine pancreas sitting at just 8%. Despite the concerning data, local pancreatic cancer survivor Nick Pifani is optimistic and views a path forward, in part through expanded access to biomarker testing. He is calling on leaders to help to improve access to biomarker testing when Assembly Bill 4163 / Senate Bill 3098 come under consideration.