Our 2015 State Legislative Priorities

ACS CAN Texas has a full slate of issues to tackle at the state legislature this year. (The following list is available in a PDF file for your convenience.)

Cancer Research, Prevention, and Early Detection

• Secure full funding for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and ensure a future for CPRIT that enables Texas to remain a leader in cancer research.
• Maintain funding for the Texas Breast and Cervical Cancer Services (BCCS) program.
• Fully fund the Texas Cancer Registry’s two-year budget.

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco

• Increase funding for the state’s tobacco prevention and cessation programs to expand the implementation of community-based programs that will help more smokers quit and keep more kids from starting.
• Increase the price of cigarettes by at least $1.00 per pack, and proportional rates for other tobacco products to reduce rates of tobacco use especially among youth.
• Build momentum for comprehensive smoke-free workplace legislation that protects all workers in Texas from the dangers of secondhand smoke, and oppose legislation that would strip local authority to enact smoke-free protections.

Improving Quality of Life for Patients and Survivors

• Create a Palliative/Supportive Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council and educational initiative to address barriers to person-centered palliative/supportive care during treatment from the beginning of diagnosis of serious diseases such as cancer.

Access to Health Care for Cancer Patients, Survivors, and their Families

• Adopt a solution that will allow Texas to accept available federal health care dollars to close the Texas coverage gap.

Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention

• Increase weekly physical education requirements in schools and strengthen curriculum for physical education.
• Fully fund the Texas Department of Health and Human Services community-based obesity prevention programs.

For more information, contact:

Cam Scott, Senior Director, Government Relations - Texas
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
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