LANSING, MICH. – Today, cancer patients, survivors and caregivers from across the state traveled to the Capitol to meet with their elected officials during Cancer Action Day. They told lawmakers that Michigan can and must do better to reduce the toll of tobacco on Michiganders and improve access to care.
Advocates met with lawmakers to ask them to support Gov. Whitmer’s budget proposals to reduce tobacco use in Michigan. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Michigan and smoking is responsible for 16,200 deaths per year in our state. A well-funded tobacco cessation and prevention program is essential to provide the support needed to help people quit and to prevent kids and young adults from starting to use tobacco.
Advocates also asked lawmakers to provide better access to care by passing copay accumulator legislation. Passing this legislation will require that all prescription drug payments made by patients, directly or on their behalf, count toward their overall out-of-pocket maximum or deductible, making cancer treatment more affordable.
An estimated 66,040 Michiganders will be diagnosed with cancer, and 21,530 are expected to die from the devastating disease this year. Nearly 32% of those cancer deaths will be caused by cigarette smoking. Those gathered at the Capitol today are calling on Michigan lawmakers to change this by taking steps to prioritize the fight against cancer by reducing tobacco use and improving access to care for those who hear the words, “You have cancer.”