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American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Priorities for 2021 Legislative Session

ACS CAN Looks Forward to Working with the Legislature to Reduce the Burden of Cancer in the New Year

January 12, 2021

Columbia, SC – January 12, 2021 – As lawmakers dive into the new year, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) looks ahead to what public health initiatives our lawmakers can accomplish in the 2021 legislative session. South Carolina has the opportunity to do more in ensuring adequate and affordable access to all communities.

All individuals deserve to live full, healthy lives now and long after the pandemic passes. That’s why ACS CAN is advocating for legislation that will have the most impact in reducing the cancer burden in the state including:

  • Affordable, Adequate Health Insurance: ACS CAN will advocate for policies that ensure access to quality, affordable and comprehensive health insurance and will support efforts to curb the availability of inadequate health plans.
  • Early Detection and Prevention: Colorectal and breast cancer remain the most common cancers in the nation and of which early detection plays an important role in survivorship.
  • Breast Cancer: ACS CAN will advocate to maintain funding of $1 million for The Best Chance Network, the state breast and cervical cancer screening program for low-income uninsured and underinsured women administered by the SC Department of Health.
  • Colorectal Cancer: ACS CAN will work to increase funding for colorectal cancer screening, treatment, and patient navigation programs. Additionally, ACS CAN will work to ensure health plans cover colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45 and ensure patients are not charged for colonoscopies that follow a positive stool-based test.
  • Expanding Medicaid: ACS CAN will advocate for preservation of funding and access to Medicaid for low-income individuals and families in South Carolina and support policies that broaden Medicaid eligibility to low-income parents and adults, earning less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level. 

Cancer patients, survivors and advocates look forward to meeting virtually with lawmakers over these issues and encouraging them to sport their Suits and Sneakers in support during ACS CAN's annual Cancer Action Day on February 5. ACS CAN encourages individuals, businesses and organizations that are interested in these issues to reach out to ACS CAN to get involved in the fight against cancer at fightcancer.org/SC.

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.

More Press Releases AboutIncreased Access to Medicaid, Cancer Prevention, South Carolina

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