Statement on Signing of New Health Laws in New York State

NEWS
from the American Cancer Society

For media inquiries, contact:
In Rochester:
Kim McMahon – 585-288-1951 x 126 (office) or 585-233-8441 (cell)
[email protected]

In Albany:
Angela Pause Smith – 518.454.4039 (office) or 518.339-6339 (cell)
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29, 2009

NEW LAWS BRIDGE HEALTH INSURANCE GAPS, PROVIDE LIFELINE TO CANCER PATIENTS        

Statement from Donald Distasio, CEO, American Cancer Society of
NY & NJ, regarding Governor Paterson signing bills to expand health care coverage.
“The package of bills being signed today provides a lifeline to cancer patients and their families by bridging a few of the many gaps that exist in our health care system.  

Considering that almost one-third of New York’s uninsured population falls between the ages of 19 and 29, allowing families to keep 19-29 year olds on their health insurance means young adults can get through that critical period when most in that age range go without any kind of health care at all.  

The COBRA extension from 18 to 16 months is significant for cancer patients because so many are discriminated against by pre-existing conditions clauses when they lose insurance or try to switch plans.  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.

On behalf of cancer patients and their families throughout New York, we congratulate Gov. Paterson, Assemblyman Morelle and Senator Breslin, for taking the lead in getting these bills done. We hope their example spurs Washington to act on quality, affordable, health care reform this year. Thousands of American Cancer Society volunteers are pushing hard for action NOW!”

* 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.