AUSTIN, TX – MAY 30, 2023 – Yesterday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 989 into law, making Texas the 11th state to expand access to biomarker testing. New York is considering comparable legislation through Assembly Bill 1673 / Senate Bill 1196. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Senior Government Relations Director in New York, Michael Davoli, responded to the legislative victory in Texas with the following statement:
“Texas has joined a growing list of states expanding access to biomarker testing. The clock is ticking for New York to do the same. We cannot wait any longer to act on Assembly Bill 1673 / Senate Bill 1196.
“In order to maintain our state’s role as a national leader in medical innovation, cancer care and public health, we must prioritize legislation such as Assembly Bill 1673 / Senate Bill 1196. In doing so, we can work to improve health outcomes, patient quality of life and—in some cases—reduce costs.
“The victory in Texas should be eye-opening to legislators across New York; we need to make precision medicine accessible to more New Yorkers who can benefit. In neglecting to do so, we risk worsening health disparities and missing opportunities to match patients with the most effective treatments.
“This isn’t a partisan issue. Lawmakers across the political spectrum and diverse geographies have recognized the importance of expanding patient access to comprehensive biomarker testing.
“The Lone Star State produced for its residents. Now, it’s time that the Empire State follows suit.”
ACS CAN along with cancer survivors, health advocates and medical leaders from across the state will be rallying around this issue at the Capitol next Monday, June 5 at 12:00pm in honor of National Cancer Survivors Day. More details will be provided in the coming days.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state, and local levels. By engaging advocates across the country to make their voices heard, ACS CAN influences legislative and regulatory solutions that will end cancer as we know it.
