2024 Tennessee Legislative Summary

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 Tennesseans impacted by cancer and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease. In 2024, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) worked with the Tennessee General Assembly on legislative efforts to ensure adequate funding for lifesaving cancer screening and prevention programs and to enact prevention policies to protect kids from tobacco products and help support those who are trying to quit.

In 2024, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) worked with the Tennessee General Assembly in support of the following priorities:

Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

Prostate Cancer: ACS CAN supports improving prostate screening rates and reducing disparities by advocating for appropriate screening measures and we are proud that the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation that gives men at high-risk for prostate cancer improved access to prostate cancer screening by requiring health insurance coverage for evidence-based prostate cancer preventive care and screenings, without cost sharing.

Breast and Cervical Cancer: Funding was maintained for the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, the state breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment program for low-income uninsured and underinsured women administered by the Tennessee Department of Health.

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding: ACS CAN worked to increase funding for fact-based, statewide tobacco prevention and cessation programs from $2.00 million to $4.6 million each year for at least the next three years. This increase will allow the program to protect kids from tobacco products and support those trying to quit.

Ensuring Access to Quality Care

Palliative Care: As part of the establishment of the Department of Disability and Aging, Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly created a state Palliative Care and Advisory Council. This Council will help to identify barriers to the availability of coordinated, supportive care during treatment from the beginning of diagnosis for serious diseases such as cancer.

Paid Family and Medical Leave: ACS CAN advocates for legislation that ensures all working cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers have access to paid family and medical leave that allows them to take time off work to attend to their own or a loved one’s care without losing their job or income. We will continue our work to get a cost-study to help move these efforts forward included in the budget next session.

Fertility Preservation: Some cancer treatments can cause infertility, and as a result, individuals with cancer may choose to preserve their fertility prior to treatment. Failure to preserve fertility is a common regret that may affect survivors’ quality of life. ACS CAN supported legislation that would provide cancer patients with health insurance coverage for fertility preservation consistent with recommended medical guidelines. While this effort failed to pass, we will work hard to get a comprehensive bill reintroduced next year.

For more information, contact:

Maddie Michael, Tennessee Government Relations Director 
[email protected] | 319.621.1795