With the summer adjournment of the 2024 legislative session here and no resolution on paid family and medical leave, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and its advocates express their disappointment through a statement from Michael Davoli, Senior Government Relations Director for ACS CAN in New York:
“Unfortunately, in New York, when many patients are diagnosed with a serious illness, their family must make an impossible choice—either they work throughout treatment to pay their bills or they take unpaid leave to focus on recovery or caregiving. We cannot expect New Yorkers to struggle to maintain their livelihood as they fight for their life. ACS CAN was glad to see that Senator Jessica Ramos and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages championed a legislative proposal to improve New Yorkers’ access to paid family and medical leave and rectify inequities throughout the state. The Senate’s swift approval of this legislation at the end of the session gave patients throughout New York hope. However, inaction by the Assembly on the bill brought such hope crashing down, leaving New Yorkers unable to take the time-off they need.
“Patients across the disease spectrum are disappointed in the Assembly’s failure to pass a bill to improve New York’s Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program. They missed an opportunity to provide New York workers with increased job protection, a continuation of income and full intermittent leave, which would have alleviated a definitive burden for countless New Yorkers facing a disease.
“As state lawmakers ready themselves for their summer adjournment, cancer patients and survivors across New York want them to know that many of their constituents cannot take paid time off to receive lifesaving or life-extending treatment. We hope that weighs on their minds this summer and moves them to act on this issue in 2025.”
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.
