2024 Pennsylvania Legislative Priorities

Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold public policies. Lawmakers are vital to defeating this disease. In 2024 the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will work with the Pennsylvania General Assembly on legislative and regulatory efforts that provide affordable, adequate access to health insurance including Medicaid, ensure adequate appropriations funding for lifesaving cancer screening  programs, and enact prevention policies that help people who use tobacco products quit and deter kids from  ever using tobacco products. We will be making the following fact-based policies a priority and ask for your support:

Ensuring Access to Quality Care

Access to Biomarker Testing:

ACS CAN will advocate for the passage of SB 954 and HB 1754, which would improve coverage of comprehensive, disease-agnostic biomarker testing. Improving cancer outcomes increasingly relies on the use of precision medicine by using information about a person's biospecimens to better diagnose and treat diseases like cancer. Biomarker testing is an important step to accessing targeted therapies, which can lead to improved survivorship and better quality of life for cancer patients. Yet, insurance coverage fails to keep pace with biomarker testing innovations and advancements in treatment.

Prescription Drug Transparency:

ACS CAN supports legislation which restricts the use of copay accumulator adjustments in health insurance plans. We will also advocate for legislation that ensures third party prescription drug copay assistance is counted toward patients’ out-of-pocket cost obligations.

Paid Family and Medical Leave:

ACS CAN supports legislation which would establish a paid family and medical leave program for Pennsylvania workers. This legislation would ensure all working cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers have access to paid family and medical leave that allows them to take time off to attend to their own or a loved one’s care without losing their job or income.

Reduce Patient Medical Debt:

ACS CAN recognizes the impact of medical debt on people with cancer, caregivers, and their families. In addition to supporting policies that ensure affordable access to comprehensive healthcare coverage, ACS CAN will advocate for policies that prevent the occurrence of medical debt and reduce the impact of medical debt on individuals and families.

Cancer Prevention and Early Detection 

Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening:

ACS CAN will advocate to maintain funding of $2.563 million for Pennsylvania’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, within the Department of Health. This program provides breast and cervical cancer screening program for low-income uninsured and underinsured women across the state.

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding:

ACS CAN will work to maintain funding for fact-based, statewide tobacco prevention and cessation programs at $16.2 million. This funding will allow the program to continue its efforts to help people quit smoking and to prevent the next generation from becoming addicted to tobacco products.

Smoke-free Air:

ACS CAN will work to remove exemptions in the statewide Clean Indoor Air Act to prohibit all smoking, including e-cigarettes and marijuana, in all workplaces including bars and casinos.

For more information, contact:

Donna Greco, Pennsylvania Government Relations Director, ACS CAN
[email protected]