Download ACS CAN FACTS

ACS CAN FACTS
ACS CAN was created 10yrs. ago because of the strong need for cancer patients,
survivors, and caregivers to have a voice with lawmakers.
 They have doubled the funding for cancer research
-ACS CAN has been successful in advocating for additional federal dollars to adequately
fun cancer research and prevention programs. Last year, we not only convinced lawmakers
to avoid cutting cancer funding, we actually secured an increase of $690 MILLION for
cancer research funding and a significant and much needed increase of $135 MILLION for
caner prevention programs
 Helped to establish smoke-free laws in 35 states in addition to DC
 Assured that the Food and Drug Administration has authority to regulate
tobacco products and the marketing of those products, ensuring that they don’t
market to our youth.
Thanks to the work of ACS CAN members and others, the following regulations to protect
children from becoming smokers are now in effect:
1.
A ban on the use of misleading descriptions such as “light,” “mild,” and “low-tar”
in themarketing and packaging of cigarettes
2.
Larger, stronger warning labels on smokeless tobacco products
3.
A first-ever federal prohibition on cigarette and smokeless tobacco sales to minors
4.
A ban on all tobacco-rand sponsorships of sports and cultural events
5.
A ban on virtually all free tobacco samples and giveaways of non-tobacco items,
such as hats, and T-shirts, with the purchase of tobacco
 Health care protections all Americans need to prevent and fight cancer
Since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, several provisions have taken effect that will
meaningfully improve the health care system for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. The
American Cancer Society and ACS CAN are viewing these changes to the health care system
through the “cancer lens” and are working to ensure that the new law is implemented as strongly as
possible for cancer patients, survivors, and their families.
The provisions help to ensure that people with cancer get access to the care they need, when they
need it, by:
1.
Prohibiting insurance companies from placing lifetime dollar limits on coverage, so
people with cancer are not forced to pay the often high cost of their care out-ofpocket
2.
Tightly restricting annual coverage limits, which will be phased out completely by
2014
3.
Guaranteeing coverage in new health plans of preventive services such as
mammograms, pap test, and colonoscopies, and ensuring that these services are free
to patients
4.
5.
6.
Barring insurance companies from denying coverage to children up to age 19 with
pre-existing conditions such as cancer
Enabling dependent children to remain on (or re-enroll in) their parent’s insurance
policy up to age 26, there by helping to expand access to coverage to an age group
that often goes without it
Banning health plans from abruptly dropping people from coverage when they
become sick with an illness such as cancer
Affortable Health Care Timeline
Great Lakes Division
State Legislative Priorities
2011
 State Budges – Funding the War on Cancer
ACS will work with other health organizations to advocate for restored funding of the Healthy
Michigan Fund, which allocates state dollars to support various chronic disease prevention and
control programs, including:
1.
The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program, which provides screening and
follow-up treatment, if necessary, for un- and under-insured, low-income women
who meet federal eligibility requrirements
2.
Obesity Prevention
3.
Michigan Tobacco QuitLine
 Obesity Prevention
About one in three cancer deaths in the U.S. is related to nutrition and physical inactivity, with
obesity as a major factor, and two out of three Americans are too heavy. ACS will work with
lawmakers and other organizations, including Healthy Kids – Healthy Michigan to promote
increased physical education in K-12 schools, with the following goals/outcomes:
1.
Establish nutritional standard for K-12 schools
2.
Require health education for 100 percent of K-8 schools by 2015
3.
Require daily physical activity for 100 percent of K-8 schools by 2015
4.
Reduce childhood obesity in the state of Michigan