2016 Legislative Session Wrap Up

On behalf of your ACS CAN Grassroots Manager, Jennifer Poole, and myself, THANK YOU for helping us make great strides for cancer patients, caregivers and survivors.

We began our session by presenting a request for a funding increase to the State Millennium Fund that would go to support statewide public outreach and communication initiatives to increase breast and cervical screening rates, reduce tobacco use among women, and reduce the rate of late-stage cancer diagnoses.  I’m pleased to report that our funding request was unanimously approved, and funds will be made available in early 2017. 

As the session progressed, ACS CAN worked with a wide cross-section of partners to further the discussion of interchangeable biosimilars. Last year we struggled to get a bill heard in a committee and as such we made this a main discussion topic during our February Day at the Capitol. Thanks to our amazing volunteers, not only did our bill get a hearing, it passed both the House and Senate, and last week was signed by the Governor.

We heard from many of you this session about how important it was to close the gap for the 78,000 Idahoans who make too much income to receive Medicaid and don’t qualify for health insurance subsidies. Discussions about finding a solution for this gap population were feverish this session, with ideas ranging from the Governor's primary care proposal (PCAP) to full-fledged Medicaid expansion. While ultimately the Legislature failed to act on any solution, I feel confident in saying that the progress made this session moves the discussion from not “if” but “when.” I’m excited to work on finding a solution in the 2017 session.

Thank you for your continued support of ACS CAN by writing letters, sending emails, making phone calls or participating in an event. Your enthusiasm and support are contagious, and it truly motivates us to continue to work on your behalf.

Please remember to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on our efforts to eliminate cancer as a major public health threat in Idaho and nationwide.

Respectfully yours,

Luke Cavener

Idaho Government Relations Director