Press Room

RALEIGH, N.C.

Maryland state lawmakers have released details on the agreed upon 2025-26 budget—the contents of which are a mixed bag in the fight against cancer. While the state made sound investments in cancer research and protected Medicaid recipients’ ability to access biomarker testing, it missed an opportunity to save the lives and lungs of Maryland’s youth by cutting funding for the state’s tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

North Carolina lawmakers have taken a critical step in efforts to reduce the cancer burden by introducing House Bill 567.

Yesterday, both chambers in the New Jersey State Legislature passed legislation (Assembly Bill 4163 / Senate Bill 3098) to increase access to biomarker testing, which can help determine the best treatment plan for each patient. The bill will now go to Governor Murphy’s desk, providing him the opportunity to ensure coverage of this essential testing for more New Jerseyans. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is leading the efforts on this significant policy change to ensure more patients can get the testing needed to access precision medicine.

Survivors and oncology professionals share their stories with lawmakers to underscore the importance of insurance coverage of cutting-edge biomarker testing

Insurance coverage of biomarker testing will reduce health disparities for cancer patients & improve outcomes across broad spectrum of serious disease

Volunteer advocates, including cancer survivors, patients,

Volunteer advocates, including cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers from across Colorado convened at the state capitol for ‘Cancer Action Day’ Wednesday, an event hosted annually by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Volunteer advocates met with lawmakers and discussed supporting access to care and sustaining funding for tobacco prevention and cessation. 

Lawmakers asked to reduce barriers to care and reduce prescription related costs

Last month, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released its annual report on cancer facts and trends, which found that, between 2017 and 2021, New Jersey had the highest incidence of pancreatic cancer behind D.C. It also found that progress is lagging for pancreatic cancer with incidence and mortality both increasing, and the 5-year survival for 9 out of 10 people diagnosed with tumors in the exocrine pancreas sitting at just 8%. Despite the concerning data, local pancreatic cancer survivor Nick Pifani is optimistic and views a path forward, in part through expanded access to biomarker testing. He is calling on leaders to help to improve access to biomarker testing when Assembly Bill 4163 / Senate Bill 3098 come under consideration.