A message from ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse
It's hard to believe we're already a week into May and 127 days into the year (but who's counting?). In January, we didn't expect the rapid speed of significant impact and challenges to our cancer mission. Today, the nation's biomedical research ecosystem, in which tomorrow's cancer cures lie, faces major threats, while millions of people are at risk of losing lifesaving access to care through Medicaid. To meet this fast-paced moment, ACS CAN has redirected additional team members, volunteer time, and resources to tackle these challenges head-on. We have assembled two dynamic and skilled campaign teams: one working to protect and increase cancer research funding in the FY26 budget and the other to safeguard Medicaid from life-threatening cuts.
ACS CAN is building momentum on the research front, ensuring our message urging Congress to protect cancer cures remains front and center. Last Wednesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing, "Biomedical Research: Keeping America's Edge in Innovation," highlighting the importance of continued federal investment.
ACS CAN took a front-row seat (literally) at the hearing, elevating and visibly representing the patient voice in their blue shirts (see photo above), meeting with several lawmakers and amplifying this mission priority through media outreach. One of our volunteers, Gary Cornelius, a 23-year cancer survivor, shared his personal story with lawmakers, emphasizing how federally funded research played a key role in his remission. We will continue activating our impactful volunteers through our campaign, advocating in D.C., priority states, and nationwide.
On Friday, we immediately responded to the president's proposed budget for FY26, which proposes a 26.2% cut to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The proposal would decimate National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, cutting it by nearly $18 billion (37%). It would also eliminate the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the CDC, which includes vital cancer and prevention programs like the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program. ACS CAN strongly denounced the proposal, calling on the president to reverse course and on Congress to reject and to recommit to its long-standing, bipartisan support for lifesaving cancer research and proven prevention programs.
On the Medicaid front, ACS CAN is actively demonstrating power and presence to fight for cancer patients and families at risk of losing affordable, quality health insurance. To date, ACS CAN volunteers have held 125 meetings with members of Congress and have attended 30 town halls within their districts. Our advocates have contacted lawmakers nearly 67,000 times, sent more than 90,000 emails, and more than 30,000 petitions this year urging Congress to protect Medicaid. ACS CAN will host a social media Medicaid Day of Action on May 13. Please join us!
By actively meeting these challenges, we are ensuring the impact on our mission to end cancer as we know it, for everyone breaks through with the collective effort of incredible advocates, partners, volunteers, and team members. Please continue to do your part and engage to protect progress in the fight against cancer.
I feel particularly invigorated after spending time with 87 lead volunteers at our State Lead Ambassador Summit in Houston, Texas this past weekend, where we celebrated our progress and aligned on strategies nationwide, focused on executing our targeted campaigns.
In April, we proudly celebrated the contributions of our outstanding network of advocates during National Volunteer Week. I also want to express my gratitude for the generosity of our network during ACS CAN Giving Week. Every volunteer and every donation in support of our mission strengthens our ability to advocate for policies that save lives and reduce the cancer burden. Thank you to everyone who participated, shared, and contributed—your support means everything.
Collectively, we will continue to push forward fueled by our mission, community of advocates, and the patients and families counting on us.
More Highlights
Please join us at ACS CAN's 15th Annual National Forum on the Future of Health Care next week, May 14 from 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM EDT.
The event is an opportunity to bring together leaders and experts to discuss critical issues in cancer prevention, treatment, and access to care, and will be live-streamed. This year's forum, "Breaking Down Barriers to Cancer Screening and Early Detection," will highlight the latest advancements in screening technologies and explore solutions to improve access and affordability. Register here to participate in person or virtually by May 12.
Join "Allyship is a Verb: Learn, Grow, Act," a virtual event hosted by ACS CAN's six volunteer Affinity Groups on Monday, May 12 from 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM ET / 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM PT. This interactive session will explore the power of allyship, empathy, and collective action in creating a more inclusive ACS CAN community. Please note: This event is open only to current ACS CAN Board members, volunteers and team members. Registration closes today, May 7! Register here.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a celebration of the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the United States. This month, learn more about AAPI cancer disparities and the Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Volunteer Caucus. This group is engaging the AAPI community to advance representation in our grassroots network, educate and advocate to reduce disparities, and help bridge the generational and language differences in each unique AAPI community.
May is fittingly National Cancer Research Month, dedicated to highlighting the importance of cancer research in the fight to prevent, detect and treat cancer. It serves as a reminder of the progress driven by scientific discovery and the need for continued investment in research that saves lives. Throughout the month, organizations, advocates and policymakers raise awareness and request support for policies that prioritize innovation and equitable access to care. ACS CAN will continue to elevate our critical cancer research funding priority this month and beyond.
Judicial Updates
In early April, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) properly issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) for certain flavored e-cigarette products. The ruling reversed a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that had struck down the MDOs. ACS CAN joined with 10 other leading medical, public health and community organizations in filing an amicus brief with the Court that urged the justices to reverse the lower court's decision.
Earlier this year, ACS CAN led 33 patient and medical professional organizations in filing an amicus, "friend of the court," brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect lifesaving preventive care without patient cost sharing. The amicus brief supports the constitutionality of the provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires most private insurers cover preventive services recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force without cost sharing by patients. The case is Braidwood Management v. Kennedy, and our brief provides extensive scientific data demonstrating that preventive services save lives and are cost-effective.
Ahead of oral arguments on April 22, our patient and physician organization amici, representing millions of people, urged the Court to protect access to lifesaving preventive care without patient cost sharing. According to a recent American Cancer Society study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, millions of privately insured people will lose access to breast, colorectal, and lung cancer screenings without cost sharing if the preventive services provision of the ACA is declared unconstitutional.
Federal Updates
Beyond our core campaigns to protect research funding and access to health insurance coverage through Medicaid, ACS CAN is driving momentum in the 119th Congress, advocating for policies that expand access to early cancer detection and protect the rights of individuals affected by cancer. Here's a look at recent legislative efforts that reflect strong bipartisan support in Congress for advancing timely, affordable, and equitable access to cancer care.
The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage (MCED) Act (H.R. 842 / S. 339) continues to gain strong bipartisan, bicameral support, with 218 cosponsors in the House and 46 in the Senate. This critical legislation would enable Medicare to consider coverage of multi-cancer early detection tests as soon as they are approved by the FDA and clinical benefit is shown, offering patients earlier access to diagnosis and potentially lifesaving care.
The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) Act (H.R. 3037 / S. 1500) was recently introduced with bipartisan support in both chambers. The bill would remove financial barriers to breast cancer diagnostic services, helping ensure patients receive timely care. ACS CAN played a central role in advancing this legislation to introduction alongside the Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy. We also co-hosted a Congressional Briefing featuring Hoda Kotb, former host of the Today Show, and participated as a panelist to highlight the importance of early detection. We amplified our support for the bill across social media on X, BlueSky, Threads and LinkedIn.
ACS CAN announced support for the recent reintroduction of the Equality Act (H.R.15 /S.1503), which would expand the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and federally funded programs. Led by Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and co-chairs and members of the Congressional Equality Caucus, this legislation seeks to remove barriers that contribute to adverse health impacts. We voiced our support on X, BlueSky, Threads and LinkedIn, emphasizing the critical role of the legislation for the cancer community.
On April 11, ACS CAN submitted a comment letter to HHS and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) stating strong opposition to a CMS Marketplace Integrity Proposed Rule. The CMS proposed a rule could create unnecessary barriers to accessing comprehensive and affordable health insurance. The rule as drafted would have negative consequences for millions of individuals who rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace for coverage, including cancer patients, survivors, and those at risk of the disease. Some potential barriers to care include shortening open enrollment periods and requiring burdensome paperwork and fees. These changes could result in coverage gaps and delays in care. This proposed rule would also rescind a Biden Administration rule aimed at removing barriers to care and ensuring more people can access affordable and comprehensive coverage by allowing DACA recipients to be eligible for ACA Marketplace tax credits or subsidies.
Policy Update
ACS CAN has been actively monitoring the potential for tariffs to affect patient access to pharmaceuticals, particularly generic drugs. While pharmaceuticals have been exempted from most of the recently imposed tariffs, some new tariffs have been imposed for drugs coming from China, Mexico, and Canada. The administration has sought comments on U.S. reliance on foreign countries for our drug supplies, which is seen as a prelude to imposing broader tariffs on pharmaceuticals. Of greatest concern is the potential for tariffs to disrupt the supply of low-cost generic sterile injectable drugs. These drugs have been in and out of shortage repeatedly for the past decade. A significant part of their supply comes from outside the U.S. Past shortages have been linked to challenging economics to produce these drugs, and tariffs could trigger a drop in supplies and ultimately shortages that affect cancer patients. ACS CAN is developing a response to the proposals.
State Updates
In North Dakota legislators made strong moves against cancer this session, passing bills on prior authorization reform and prohibiting prescription drug copay accumulator adjustments. Both bills have been signed into law by Governor Kelly Armstrong.
New Jersey made a tremendous impact with Acting Governor Tahesha Way signing legislation requiring state-regulated health insurers to cover biomarker testing, putting this form of personalized, diagnostic testing in reach for more New Jerseyans. New Jersey is the 21st state ACS CAN has helped influence to adopt critical biomarker legislation.
Indiana's newly passed state budget includes a $2 per pack increase in cigarette tax and raises taxes on other tobacco products – an incredible win! This marks the first increase in Indiana's cigarette tax in nearly 20 years and caps a nearly eight-year campaign.
Thanks to continued advocacy, ACS CAN and ACS are expecting to have $350,000 approved for the Methodist Healthcare Ministries Hope Lodge campaign in San Antonio, Texas, in addition to a $1 million appropriation that was secured from the city of San Antonio.
In Washington, Governor Bob Ferguson signed a bill to exempt medical debt from credit reports and scores. Removing medical debt from a credit score improves a score by 20 points, on average. Medical debt does not affect whether a person makes sound financial decisions and should not be used in consumer financial credit reports.
Also in Washington, legislation passed to close a nicotine pouch loophole by classifying synthetic nicotine products the same way The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies tobacco products. Nicotine pouches are now taxed at 95% wholesale, and cessation products remain tax-free.
In California, the Tobacco Control Prevention Program is losing $3.5M in federal funding from CDC, impacting the Quitline and infrastructure in addition to $34M loss from declining tobacco tax revenue.
In New Hampshire, the House Finance Committee eliminated all state general funding for the Tobacco Control Program (TCP), which, combined with the loss of federal funding, would leave the state without a TCP starting July 1, 2025. ACS CAN will urge the Senate to reverse these cuts as they begin budget deliberations. The House budget also proposes an $800,000 reduction to the Office of Rural Health, introduces premium cost sharing for traditional Medicaid recipients, and doubles their prescription copays. These changes pose significant threats to public health access and prevention efforts across the state.
Advocacy in the News
Protect Medicaid Campaign:
- U.S. News: Medicaid expansion protected Americans during COVID-19 pandemic
- NBC News: Parents of kids with cancer fear GOP budget cuts could slash Medicaid
- Punchbowl: The red lines begin: A dozen House Republicans say no to big Medicaid cuts
- The Boston Globe: In N.H., possible Medicaid cuts could put people battling cancer at risk
- Your Alaska Link: Health care in jeopardy: Alaskans face uncertainty after federal cuts
- 59 News (WV): Meeting in Lewisburg About How Potential Cuts to Medicaid Could Affect Cancer Patients
Protect Cancer Cures Campaign:
- WAFF 48: Cullman man fighting for cancer research funding in Washington, D.C.
- PennLive: During National Public Health Week, tell President Trump not to cut funds to fight cancer
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