New Jersey Cancer Action Center

Earlier this week, the New Jersey State Assembly voted to advance a bill that seeks to create more stability for patients. The proposal (Assembly Bill 5217) would curb an unfair insurance practice that makes critical medication more expensive and access unpredictable. With its passage in committee, advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are hopeful that the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee see the bill’s momentum as a call to action to take the final steps to pass and enact the necessary reforms.

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.

Earlier this week, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy released his proposed budget for 2025. In response, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey Government Relations Director Quinton Law issued the following statement, highlighting how Governor Murphy can amplify his intended impact of improving public health and addressing the deficit by increasing the cigarette tax by $1 per pack.

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.