Press Release: CTGetting Mixed Reviews on Cancer-Fighting Public Policies

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Amber Hillman

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Phone: 508.450.8690
Email: [email protected]

Connecticut Getting Mixed Reviews on Cancer-Fighting Public Policies

State Failing When it comes to Tobacco Control Funding;

Advocates Reminder Lawmakers “Our Kids are Worth More than Zero”

HARTFORD – August 6, 2015 – Connecticut is making progress when it comes to supporting policies and passing legislation to prevent and reduce suffering and death from cancer, but failing when it comes to funding state tobacco control and prevention programs.

According to the latest edition of How Do You Measure Up?: A Progress Report on State Legislative Activity to Reduce Cancer Incidence and Mortality,  Connecticut measured up to policy recommendations in five of the nine issue areas ranked. The report was released today by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).

“We’ve made tremendous progress in the way we diagnose and treat cancer across the country. But to leverage this progress, Connecticut legislators must take advantage of the opportunities to pass evidence-based laws and policies that are proven to save lives and money,” said Bryte Johnson, director of government relations for ACS CAN in Connecticut. “In 2015, nearly 22,000 people in Connecticut will be diagnosed with cancer and more than 6,800 will die of the disease. We can’t wait to take action when the stakes are that high. This report outlines ways lawmakers can make a difference by emphasizing cancer prevention, curbing tobacco use and prioritizing quality of life for patients and their families.”

How Do You Measure Up? rates states in nine specific areas of public policy that can help fight cancer, including smoke-free laws, tobacco tax levels, funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs and cessation coverage under Medicaid, funding for cancer screening programs and restricting indoor tanning devices for minors. The report also looks at whether or not a state has said yes to federal funds available to increase access to care through its Medicaid program, has passed policies proven to increase patient quality of life and offers a well-balanced approach to pain medications.

In Connecticut, the report highlights the states failing to fund state tobacco control and prevention program funding, leaving many of those who want to quit smoking without a tool to help them kick the deadly addiction, and opening the door for youth to pick up a cigarette for the first time.

“While the state continues to underfund programs proven to reduce tobacco use, the annual health care costs associated with tobacco use continue to increase,” said Johnson.“Connecticut incurs $1.63 billion in annual health care costs and another $1 billion in lost productivity directly caused by tobacco use each year – and we are investing zero dollars in our state tobacco control program for 2016. Aren’t our kids worth more than zero? Isn’t our health worth more than zero? If we want to continue to fight cancer in this state, the answer to that question needs to be a resounding “yes.” ”

A color-coded system classifies how well a state is doing in each issue. Green shows that a state has adopted evidence-based policies and best practices; yellow indicates moderate movement toward the benchmark and red shows where states are falling short.