2025-2026 Massachusetts Priorities

• Treatment with targeted therapy often requires diagnostic testing to analyze biological samples (e.g., blood, tumor tissue) taken from a patient to identify and evaluate specific biomarkers. Research shows that targeted therapy can improve patient survival and quality of life. When doctors connect patients to the most effective treatment for their cancer, patients can avoid treatments that will be ineffective or have more adverse side effects. Insurance coverage for biomarker testing is failing to keep pace with innovations and advancements in treatment. We must work to dismantle barriers that prevent all patients from benefiting from biomarker testing and precision medicine. 

• Navigating the healthcare system can be confusing and complicated, and making decisions after receiving a complex medical diagnosis such as cancer is challenging for anyone but particularly for populations that have been historically marginalized. Patient navigation is an evidence-based intervention that eliminates health disparities across the cancer care continuum. Currently, patient navigation services are still absent or limited in many cancer programs and hospital settings. The expansion and sustainability of patient navigation services will only be achieved by ensuring that these services can be paid for over the long term. Sustainable funding will help to ensure more people have access to the navigation services needed to ensure better cancer outcomes. 

• Selecting a health insurance plan is one of the most important decisions a person must make. Yet without complete and accurate information, consumers run the risk of picking the wrong plan, one that may not cover all their medications at a price they can afford.  While the cost of a drug can vary significantly depending on the source, consumers who are increasingly facing co-insurance (rather than a fixed co-pay) must know the list of drugs covered, the cost to the patient in real dollars, and the process for getting a particular drug covered before they can choose the plan that best meets their needs. This bill would require plans to provide this information in a uniform way, resulting in better choices, better coverage and better care for healthcare consumers. 

• Regularly increasing the price of cigars and cigarettes is one of the most effective ways to help smokers quit and prevent kids from starting. This bill would increase the tax on cigarettes by $1 per pack, bringing it up to $4.51, and increase the tax on cigars from 40 percent of wholesale to 80 percent. History and evidence show that this will reduce the smoking rate, saving some of the more than $4 billion in health care costs annually attributed to tobacco use in Massachusetts, and most importantly, save lives. 

• Pancreatic cancer continues to be a silent killer, with patients often being diagnosed in the later stages of the disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 1,000 Massachusetts residents’ lives will be cut short due to pancreatic cancer this year. While some progress has been made through research, only 10% of patients survive 5 years post diagnosis. ACS CAN continues to support efforts to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer here in the Commonwealth. 

Annual State Budget Priorities: 

Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening: ACS CAN will advocate for sufficient funding for the breast and cervical cancer early detection program within the Department of Public Health to meet the needs of all eligible residents. 

Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Funding: ACS CAN will advocate for a minimum level of funding for the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention program within the Department of Public Health. 

Healthy Incentives Program (HIP): ACS CAN will advocate for continued full funding for the Healthy Incentives Program within the Department of Transitional Assistance. 

Pediatric Palliative Care: ACS CAN will advocate for continued full funding for the pediatric palliative care program within the Department of Public Health. 

Prostate Cancer Research, Education and Awareness: ACS CAN will advocate for continued funding for the prostate cancer research, education, and awareness program within the Department of Public Health.

For more information, contact:  Marc Hymovitz, Massachusetts Government Relations Director  
[email protected] | 617.823.7746