MADISON, Wis. – Feb. 28, 2019 – Today, Gov. Tony Evers released his budget plan, which included funding for tobacco prevention and the state’s Well Woman program for breast and cervical cancer screenings, as well as a tax on e-cigarettes. He also announced his commitment to increasing access to Wisconsin’s Medicaid program. In response, Sara Sahli, Wisconsin government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, released the following statement:
“As an organization dedicated to ending suffering and death from cancer, we’re thankful that Governor Evers’ budget plan will help reduce the burden of this disease.
“The best treatment against cancer is prevention, and our state’s tobacco prevention and control program provides critical education and cessation resources to our communities. We commend the governor for increasing funding for tools like the Tobacco Quit Line in his budget and for including a tax on e-cigarettes. With one in five high schoolers and one in nine middle schoolars in Wisconsin now using e-cigarettes, this tax is crucial to making these products less accessible to young people.
“Likewise, Wisconsin Well Woman connects uninsured or under-insured women to much-needed breast and cervical cancer care and screenings. Early detection is critical to diagnosing the disease when treatment is more effective and less expensive. With the funding Governor Evers has proposed, we can help stop cancer before it takes root.
“In the same vein, we know that cancer patients fare best when they have access to quality health insurance. But so many still fall in the coverage gap, where they’re unable to afford private health insurance but make too much money for Medicaid. That’s why we’re grateful that Governor Evers has committed to increasing access to Medicaid to reach more low-income, uninsured Wisconsinites.
“ACS CAN encourages the Legislature to follow Governor Evers’ lead and prioritize cancer patients throughout budget negotiations. We stand ready to work with our lawmakers to craft a plan that best supports Wisconsin’s health.”
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.