FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Name: Marc Kaplan
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Cell: (518) 796-1038
Email: [email protected]
ACS CAN Praises Legislators and Governor for Cancer Programs in New Budget
ALBANY, NY - April 1, 2016 – Governor Cuomo, the New York State Senate and Assembly have agreed upon a budget for fiscal year 2016/17 that includes some crucial plans to help New Yorkers in their efforts against cancer.
The package includes $5 million in funding for mobile mammography units that will provide screenings for women who might otherwise not receive them. This is part of a $91 million program to help make early cancer screenings available to New Yorkers.
The new budget also includes $500,000 to support the Healthy Food and Healthy Communities Program which helps provide access to healthy foods for those in underserved neighborhoods. Also called for is a health care facility transformation fund which allocates $200 million to support projects that replace facilities that are outdated or inefficient as part of a merger, consolidation or acquisition. The budget package also calls for cancer mapping every five years, to help determine where the high risk areas are.
Julie Hart, New York director of government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released the following statement.
“We applaud Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie as well as Senate Health Chair Kemp Hannon and Assembly Health Chair Richard Gottfried for supporting these programs that can literally saves lives and protect the health of New Yorkers.
“Early screenings do help save lives. The mobile mammography program will bring these screenings to those who to this point have not had access.
“Poor nutrition, including the consumption of high-calorie foods and beverages, is a major contributor to excess weight and obesity and together with physical inactivity increase the risk of cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends consuming a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant foods, in order to reduce cancer risk. Sadly, in many low income communities across the state, kids and families don’t have access to a grocery store or healthy food. The Healthy Food and Healthy Communities Program will help provide healthy fruits and vegetables to these communities.
“The health care facility transformation fund will help ensure New Yorkers are served by the efficient facilities and regular cancer mapping will help us determine what type of help is needed in each community across New York State.
“We look forward to working with the governor and both houses of the legislature for the further implementation of these programs and we look ahead to future measures to protect the people of New York State from the fear and pain of cancer.”
After months of delay and hard negotiations, Congress has finally passed a funding bill! The bill includes a small increase for cancer research and prevention programs.