Statement from Donald Distasio on New York Health Plus

NEWS
from the American Cancer Society

For media inquiries, contact:
Angela Pause Smith – 518.454.4039 (office) or 518.339-6339 (cell)
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2009

MEANINGFUL HEALTHCARE REFORM MEANS MORE
NEW YORKERS WILL SURVIVE CANCER     

Statement from Donald Distasio, CEO, American Cancer Society of
NY & NJ, regarding introduction of New York Health Plus legislation
"Surviving cancer can depend on whether or not you have health insurance and the quality of that insurance.  Right now, thousands of New Yorkers, including cancer patients, are putting off screenings, not taking prescription medicines and skipping appointments because they can't afford it.  

We recognize and commend Assemblymember Dick Gottfried and Senator Tom Duane for seeing the value in driving the debate forward in the midst of these challenging economic times.  Our economy will recover only once healthcare reform is achieved.  

Because access to healthcare has such an impact on cancer outcomes, this issue is a top priority for the American Cancer Society.  However, meaningful healthcare reform must reinvent our system so healthcare is adequate, affordable, available to all despite medical history and easy to understand.  We believe New York Health Plus meets those standards.  It is time for action, not only in Albany, but in Washington as well."

###

About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.