2016 Florida Legislative Priorities

2016_Legislative_Priorities_Summary_Pictures.pdf

2016 Legislative Session

Four Priorities in the Fight against Cancer

CIGARETTE SURCHARGE INCREASE

Efforts are underway to raise Florida’s cigarette surcharge by an additional $1. Raising the tax will reduce tobacco consumption, reduce the state’s health care costs from tobacco-related diseases and generate additional revenues to invest in Florida’s health care system.                   

BREAST CANCER SCREENING

The Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides lifesaving cancer screenings for medically underserved women between the ages of 50 and 64 who have incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level. For 2016, ACS CAN asks that the state fund the program, using a dedicated revenue source, at a level equal to approximately one-half of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s current program investment in Florida (approximately $2.6 million).                            

RESEARCH

It is vital that Florida supports measures that will increase the state’s capacity for research and treatment, those measures that generate an investment in the state’s research infrastructure.  For 2016-17, we ask that both the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program and the Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Program are funded at $15 million each and that program funding allocations are determined on a peer-reviewed, competitive grant basis.                

TOBACCO PREVENTION AND EDUCATION

ACS CAN supports the continued, full implementation of Article X, Section 27 of the Florida Constitution. Funding allocated for the Tobacco Prevention and Education program should be approximately $68 million for Fiscal Year 2015-16 and should be allocated based on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s Best Practices.