2022 DC Legislative Priorities

Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold new public policies that promote cancer prevention, early detection of cancer, and expand access to quality, affordable health care. Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of District residents touched by cancer and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease. In 2022 the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will work with the Council on the District of Columbia on legislative and regulatory efforts that address disruption in cancer care and screenings; provide affordable, adequate access to healthcare insurance including Medicaid; as well appropriations funding for lifesaving cancer screening and prevention policies that help people that use tobacco products quit and deter kids from ever using tobacco products. We will be making the following evidence-based policies a priority and ask for your support:

Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

• Breast and Cervical Cancer: ACS CAN will advocate to sustain funding for Project WISH, the city’s breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment program for low-income uninsured and underinsured women administered by DC Health.

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco

• Flavors: ACS CAN will fight to fund landmark public health legislation passed in Council Year 2021 to end the sale of menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, and some other flavored tobacco products. The total cost of funding for this legislation is $13.9 million.
• Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding:  ACS CAN will work to maintain the city’s evidence-based tobacco prevention and cessation programs at $1.9 million. 

For more information, contact: Jocelyn Collins, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, DC Government Relations Director, ACS CAN 

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 301-254-0072 (cell)

ACS CAN is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state, and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, please visit www.fightcancer.org.