New York Cancer Action Center

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.