2025 Texas Legislative Priorities

2025 Texas Legislative Priorities  

In 2025, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will work with the Texas Legislature on efforts that ensure Texas remains the second largest public funding source for cancer research in the world. We will also proactively work to provide affordable, adequate access to health insurance including Medicaid, allocating adequate appropriations funding for lifesaving cancer screening programs, and expand prevention policies that help people who use tobacco products quit, while deterring kids from ever using tobacco products. We will be making the following fact-based policies a priority and ask for your support:  

Cancer Research Funding  

• Research Appropriations: ACS CAN will work to secure $600 million in appropriations to support the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.  

• Data Collection: Advocate for full funding of the Texas Cancer Registry, while working to defeat any efforts to restrict the programs’ ability to collect data.  

Ensuring Access to Quality Care  

• Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Treatment Pilot Program: Last session, ACS CAN led the effort to create the first-ever state-based CRC treatment program. Our effort resulted in $10 million in new funding for a CRC treatment pilot program, which is being implemented in Harris County. We will need to work hard to keep the funding in the budget, while encouraging lawmakers to expand the program to other counties.  

Cancer Prevention and Early Detection 

• Breast and Cervical Cancer: ACS CAN will advocate to maintain funding of $3.5 million annually for the Texas Breast and Cervical Cancer Services Program, the state’s breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment program for low-income uninsured and underinsured women administered by the Texas Department of State Health Services. 

• Eliminate Barriers to Prostate Cancer Screening: Screening for prostate cancer is not only an essential first step for diagnosis but is also a powerful tool for early detection that saves lives. However, cost sharing presents a significant impediment to screening for vulnerable populations. We support legislation that would address this head on by eliminating cost sharing for prostate cancer screening for persons at a high or average risk of prostate cancer.  

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco  

• Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding: Currently funded at $5.6 million annually, ACS CAN will work to increase funding for the Texas Department of State Health Services tobacco prevention and cessation program which will allow them to expand the number of communities in Texas with comprehensive tobacco control programs. 

• Reduce the Burden of Tobacco: Work to defeat legislation that would increase the consumption of any tobacco product including e-cigarettes. 

Policies that Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle 

• Health Eating and Active Living: The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) supports public policies that make it easier for children and adults to eat a healthy diet and to be physically active, thereby reducing their long-term cancer risk.