NEWS
from the American Cancer Society
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2009
EXPANDING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR YOUNG ADULTS, EXTENDING COBRA OPTION, POSITIVE STEPS IN FIGHTING CANCER
Statement from Donald Distasio, CEO, American Cancer Society of
NY & NJ, regarding Senate passage of measures to expand health care coverage.
“Surviving cancer can depend on whether you have health insurance or on how good that health coverage is. Two measures awaiting the governor’s signature help to fill the gaps.
By allowing families to keep 19-29 year olds on their health insurance, young adults can get through that critical period when most in that age range – there are 800,000 uninsured in this group – go without any kind of health care at all. And by extending COBRA from 18 to 36 months, families with employer-sponsored health insurance coverage can continue to use those plans during the uncertain time between jobs. A recent report states that more than 10,000 New Yorkers are losing their jobs each month* making extension of health coverage following separation from employment more important now than ever before.
Both these measures are critical steps toward achieving access to health care for all New Yorkers, and increasing the odds of surviving cancer. The American Cancer Society urges Governor Paterson to sign these bills quickly so more New Yorkers can get the medical care they need now.
The American Cancer Society worked closely with the Business and Labor Coalition of NY (BALCONY) and with Health Care for All New Yorkers (HCFANY) in support of these bills. Special thanks to Senator Breslin and Assemblyman Morelle, sponsors of both bills, and Assemblywoman Peoples, sponsor of the COBRA bill, for their efforts on behalf of uninsured New Yorkers.”
* The Clock is Ticking: More Americans Losing Health Coverage, Families USA, July 2009.
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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.