Articles
Legislative Advocacy
Advocacy plays a major role in the American Cancer Society’s fight to eradicate cancer. Many of the most important decisions about cancer are made outside of your doctor’s office. Instead, they are made by your state legislature, in Congress and in the White House. Learn about the California Division's current legislative initiatives, or read on to learn about the results of our advocacy and how to get involved. Check back periodically for more updates!
How does California measure up?
A majority of states are falling short on legislative solutions to prevent and fight cancer according to ACS CAN's ninth annual progress report on state legislative activity, How Do You Measure Up? The report ranks state policies in five priority areas: breast and cervical cancer early detection program funding; colorectal screening coverage laws; smoke-free laws; tobacco prevention program funding; and tobacco taxes. The report also offers a blueprint for effective legislation on matters such as tobacco cessation funding; regulating indoor tanning devices; obesity, nutrition and physical activity; and quality of life. To assist state lawmakers with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the report provides a model framework for establishing consumer-friendly state health exchanges and protecting Medicaid programs – a critical lifeline for many cancer patients.
How does the Affordable Care Act affect cancer patients and families?
The American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) have produced a new, consumer-friendly guide that describes how provisions of the Affordable Care Act help people with cancer and their families. Featuring the stories of three people who have battled cancer or lost a loved one to the disease, the guide describes how provisions of the law improve the quality of care and make health care more affordable, available and easier for patients to understand.
Our hard work on the federal Affordable Care Act is starting benefit cancer patients and survivors in California! California's Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) has opened and is now accepting applications. PCIP is available to Californians who have been without health insurance coverage for at least six months and have been denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition or the coverage offered to them was very expensive, as defined by the program.
Confused about how the new health reform law really works?
This short animated movie explains the problems with the current health care system, the changes that are happening now, and the big changes coming in 2014. Click here to view the video
This video was written and produced by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Narrated by Cookie Roberts, a news commentator for ABC News and NPR and a member of Kaiser's Board of Trustees. Creative production and animination by Free Range Studios.
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
Celebrating 10 Years of Transforming Advocacy
This September, ACS CAN will celebrate its 10th birthday by asking cancer advocates across the country to urge lawmakers to make cancer research funding a top priority. To commemorate this occasion, ACS CAN has launched Celebrate with Action, a nationwide fundraising, membership, and advocacy campaign. The goals of Celebrate with Action represent a "triple double" of priorities in the fight against cancer:
- Double ACS CAN membership;
- Double funding for cancer research; and,
- Double the hope of beating this disease.
For more information about ACS CAN's 10th birthday and Celebrate with Action, please visit www.acscan.org/celebrate.