News
May 2010 ACS CAN Advocacy Newsletter
Cancer Research Is Our Future
George Blough received the worst news she could hear in 1990 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Thankfully she had a team of great doctors and a treatment program that would help her recover.
However, when she was told her cancer had returned seven years later, she was filled with fear about her future. But, thanks to continued investments in cancer research, a new lifesaving drug and treatment had been developed since her last diagnosis. George fought back with this new treatment and is once again cancer-free. Now she is excited about what her future will bring thanks to cancer research.
America’s investment in cancer research has saved countless lives, allowing for millions of cancer survivors, just like George, to experience life’s special moments. Yet there are far too many lives still lost to cancer every year.
ACS CAN has made it a priority to increase the federal government’s investment in cancer research.
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ACS CAN Premium Content A special feature article only for members of ACS CAN |
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ACS CAN Fights Discrimination Against Cancer Survivors Ms. Fink is an elementary school art teacher who had her esophagus removed after being diagnosed with cancer.
Following her surgery, she was unable to keep up with the young, active children in her classroom and requested a transfer to a local high school art teaching position.
You must be a member of ACS CAN to view this article and learn how ACS CAN is helping Ms. Fink.
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State and Local Update
Michigan Goes Smoke-Free
Michigan's new smoke-free law, which makes nearly all workplaces including bars and restaurants in the state smoke-free, goes into effect today.
Washington and Hawaii Cigarette Taxes Top $3.00
Washington and Hawaii became the third and fourth states to pass cigarette taxes of $3.00 or higher. Washington state increased their tax by $1.00 for a new total of $3.025 per pack. The increase takes effect today, giving Washington the second highest cigarette tax in the nation. On July 1, significant tax increases on other tobacco products, including cigars, will take effect.
On April 29, Hawaii's governor signed a cigarette tax increase that will raise the rate to $3.00 per pack when it goes into effect on July 1, 2010. There are now four states with cigarette tax rates of $3.00 or higher.
Idaho Increases Budget for Cancer Screenings
Idaho's governor approved a budget that increased funding for Women's Health Check, Idaho's Breast and Cervical Cancer screening program, by $150,000.
Alabama Restores Some Funding For Breast Cancer Screening Program
Advocates were instrumental in persuading the Alabama state legislature to add $316,800 to the state's Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, after it had been cut entirely from the Governor's budget for the third year in a row.
Hawaii Covers Colon Cancer Screenings
The Hawaii legislature overwhelmingly passed legislation requiring private insurers to cover the full range of colon cancer screening tests. When the Governor signs the legislation in a ceremony next week, Hawaii will become the 28th state, in addition to the District of Columbia, to pass such a law.
Colorado and Kansas Approve Coverage for Oral Chemotherapy
The governors of Colorado and Kansas enacted legislation providing out of pocket relief for those cancer patients taking chemotherapy in pill form. Before this change, insurance companies would not pay for chemotherapy in pill form and forced cancer patients to pay for this treatment on their own. Kansas' law goes into effect on July 1 and Colorado's takes effect on January 1. With these two additions, six states, in addition to the District of Columbia, have now passed such legislation.