A message from ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse

As we head into the final stretch of the year, our cancer mission priorities remain front and center, and elevating the patient voice continues to drive our momentum. The impact of Leadership Summit and Lobby Day (LS&LD) is still being felt. We brought 720 advocates to Capitol Hill, met with every Senate office and 384 House offices, and are proud to see that hard work paying off.

Through the relentless advocacy of our volunteers over these last months, the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (MCED) is now the most cosponsored bill in the 119th Congress! We know that years of elevating our cancer lens through patient voice has created this outcome. Thank you for all you have done to drive ongoing urgency to our cancer mission! This moment in time calls for us to be relentless, and this energy carries us forward as we track key developments in Washington and continue driving progress across federal, state and local landscapes.

The start of October brought significant challenges with the shutdown of the federal government on October 1 after stalled negotiations over Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) funding. While the Senate remains in session and has held multiple votes on short-term proposals, none have advanced. These delays have real implications for patients and researchers.

The shutdown is disrupting the cancer research ecosystem. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has paused new grant funding, delayed application processing, and suspended most clinical trial enrollment, except in medically necessary cases. October and November are peak months for external research funding, and this interruption threatens both new and ongoing projects. While the NIH Clinical Center remains open and current trial participants continue treatment, the halt in new studies and patient enrollment risks creating a backlog that could delay progress.

Amid this uncertainty, there have been more encouraging moments. On September 30, the White House announced it will double funding for the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI) and released a plan to harness AI to accelerate cures. ACS CAN applauded this move and continues to call for sustained NIH funding to support this critical work. Our post amplifying the announcement reinforced the message that federal investment in research must remain a national priority.

As Congress finalizes decisions for FY26, we have a real opportunity to end the year on a high note. Through strong grassroots advocacy, targeted advertising, and our Voices of Cancer Research site, we're making the strongest nationwide case that protecting cancer research and access to care must remain a top priority. The stories shared on this platform are powerful reminders of what's at stake and why lawmakers must act.

And now, new ACS research adds to the mounting evidence that underscores just how critical access to affordable health care through Medicaid is to our mission. The latest ACS study examining the impact of Medicaid expansion, published in the American Association for Cancer Research Journal Cancer Discovery, found that improvements in 5-year cause-specific survival and overall cancer survival were significantly greater in Medicaid expansion states than in non-expansion states. The improvements were especially strong for people in rural and low-income communities and for those diagnosed with cancers that are typically harder to treat.

We're advocating strenuously to protect and increase access to care, for key decisions on health care tax credits, and federal funding for programs that create impact on our mission. These critical levers determine whether patients can afford coverage, access treatment, and benefit from lifesaving research. 

Please continue to share patient, survivor, caregiver and researcher stories. Every voice strengthens our message and reminds Congress that now is the time to act. Please consider a donationto continue to help us expand our voices even further.  

Thank you for your continued advocacy in the fight against cancer.

Priorities and Partners

Just a few weeks after LS&LD, we held another major meeting with members of our state and local teams and our partners. Our 2025 ACS CAN Priorities and Partners Meeting was an energizing three days of strategy, learning, and collaboration. We gathered in Arlington, VA, to focus on the issues shaping cancer policy today, at the federal and state levels, from learning about innovations like Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) and measurable or minimal residual disease (MRD) biomarker testing, to the discussions about the legislative challenges of protecting access to insurance coverage for cancer patients through ACA health premium tax credits and expanded access to Medicaid. Other topics of discussion included highlighting the challenges of funding that has been essential to protecting and expanding proven tobacco control, understanding the impact of federal funding changes at the state level, and elevating and expanding partnerships to increase our organizational impact.

Throughout the meeting, we explored federal and state policy shifts, strengthened our advocacy skills through breakout sessions, and heard from partners across industry and grassroots organizations. These conversations will guide our work to protect patient access to care, advance health equity, and drive legislative wins this yearend and in 2026.

We were pleased to have the support of 22 partners and raised $530,000.

A heartfelt thank you to our government relations directors, state teams and federal teams for leading critical discussions and sharing expertise, and to our partners and sponsors whose support and partnership make this annual event possible! Your commitment ensures ACS CAN remains at the forefront of cancer advocacy.

State Updates

Alabama State Senator Steve Livingston has pre-filed Senate Bill 19, a bill aimed at expanding insurance coverage for cancer screenings. If passed, Alabama would become the tenth state to require coverage for prostate cancer screening, helping improve early detection and access to care for more residents.

Prostate cancer survivors, physicians, and advocates recently gathered at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to call for swift passage of House Bill 281 and Senate Bill 447. These proposals would eliminate cost-sharing requirements for high-risk individuals, helping remove financial barriers that prevent many Pennsylvanians from accessing potentially lifesaving prostate cancer screenings.

ACS CAN advocates in New York City held a virtual Cancer Action Day (CAD) to urge NYC Councilmembers to promote workers' access to early detection. The legislation in focus would require private employees with five or more staff to provide up to five hours of paid time-off each year for preventative medical care, including cancer screenings. The CAD came on the heels of a recent study led by ACS, which found that people living in racially and economically segregated neighborhoods in NYC were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage breast and cervical cancer. ACS CAN volunteers are hopeful that their productive conversations will move the Council to hold a public hearing on the bill before the end of the year.

New Mexico announced a special session in early October to minimize damage from federal budget cuts, and Missouri held a special session on congressional districting maps.

Federal Updates

In the pharmaceutical space, the administration announced sweeping proposals that could impact patients across the US. A threatened 100% tariff on branded drug imports was announced to force price concessions and investment in domestic manufacturing but was paused amid ongoing negotiations. Countries and regions with previously negotiated rates at 15% like Japan and the European Union, are exempt from the threatened tariffs. Meanwhile, new direct-to-consumer agreements with Pfizer and AstraZeneca would offer select medications at Most Favored Nation pricing through a government portal launching in 2026, though it appears this portal only applies to individuals who self-pay and costs associated with this portal will not count towards an insured's cost sharing. These developments underscore the need for patient-centered policy, and we're working to ensure that the voices of those most affected are part of every conversation.

The Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (MCED) (H.R. 842/S. 339) is now the most cosponsored bill in Congress. House sponsors are Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Terri Sewell (D-AL). Senate sponsors are Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Mike Bennet (D-CO). The House bill has 322 cosponsors and the Senate bill has 62 cosponsors. After the shutdown, we hope to have movement in the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the bill.

Enhanced ACA Health Care Tax Credits: Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) introduced the Health Care Affordability Act (H.R. 247/S. 46). The bill has 162 House cosponsors and 44 Senate cosponsors. This would permanently extend enhanced health care tax credits, helping millions of Americans afford their insurance premiums.

ACS and ACS CAN Engage Indigenous Communities at the National Indian Health Board's (NIHB)'s 2025 Conference: ACS and ACS CAN were proud to cosponsor and cobrand a successful engagement at the NIHB 2025 Conference in Arizona, an event that welcomed more than 1,200 participants committed to advancing health in Native communities.

A standout moment was the powerful screening of ACS Real Lives: Cancer Stories of Indigenous People, which drew a crowd of over 160 attendees, including Tribal Leaders, conference participants, and NIHB CEO A.C. Locklear. Locklear delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the value of our strategic alliance in addressing cancer disparities in Indigenous communities.

ACS was also featured as a panelist during a main plenary session titled “Beyond Federal Dollars: Diversifying Funding for Tribal Health," offering critical insights into cancer prevention and survivorship efforts tailored to Tribal health systems.

Meanwhile, our ACS CAN Arizona team partnered with the Arizona Department of Health Services and Northern Arizona University to host a vibrant and well-attended exhibit booth. Through this outreach, the team collected over 180 collated name cards, strengthening connections and enhancing access to cancer resources across Indigenous communities in Arizona and beyond.

This event reinforced our commitment to equitable cancer care and demonstrated how collaboration, cultural relevance, and community engagement remain at the heart of our advocacy and mission-driven work.

ACS CAN Sponsors CHCI's 48th Annual Awards Gala and the CBCF Annual Legislative Conference (ALC)

As part of our ongoing efforts to elevate our cancer priorities with elected officials, ACS CAN supported the annual convening of Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's (CHCI) 48th Annual Awards Gala is a signature event that celebrates Latino culture and leadership while uniting national changemakers and advocates. This year's gala was a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and equity in health care. We were proud to host staff from the office of Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), who—alongside Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX)—introduced ACS CAN priority legislation, the Clinical Trial Modernization Act. This bipartisan bill is designed to remove cost and geographic barriers to clinical trial participation, helping more patients access cutting-edge care.

We were also thrilled to be joined by several ACS and ACS CAN leaders who are helping drive our mission forward:

• Jose Buenaga, ACS Board Member
• Jose Ramos, ACS CAN Board Member
• Manuel Luna, ACS CAN State Lead Ambassador, New Mexico
• Lillian Santos, Executive Vice President, ACS Puerto Rico
• Maria Cristy, Vice President, Cancer Control and Patient Services, ACS Puerto Rico

Their presence at the gala highlighted the strong and growing commitment across our organization to advocate for policies that reduce disparities and improve outcomes for all cancer patients—especially in historically underserved communities. Together, we continue to amplify voices, advance equity, and work toward a world where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. 

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) is the premier policy conference focused on issues impacting African Americans and the global Black community. Each year, thought leaders, legislators, and engaged citizens convene to address critical topics including economic development, public health, and education.

ACS CAN was proud to serve as a sponsor of both the Day of Healing Prayer Breakfast and the prestigious Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner at this year's ALC. At the gala, we were honored to host:

• Rep. Glenn Ivey (MD)'s Chief of Staff Aaron Harawa
• Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, ACS CAN Board Chair
• Desirée Rogers, ACS Board Member
• Kimberly Green, National Secretary, National Pan-Hellenic Council

In addition, ACS CAN had a strong presence throughout the conference. Angela Sailor, Senior Director of Advocacy for Health Equity, represented ACS CAN as a panelist for "Navigating Medical Debt: The Influence of Healthcare Systems and Federal Policies on Local Communities," hosted by Bristol Myers Squibb as well as the "Health Innovation: Expanding Access and Opportunity for Communities in Rural and Urban America," hosted by Holland & Knight

These engagements reflect ACS CAN's ongoing commitment to advancing health equity and ensuring access to quality care for all communities.

ACS CAN at the Childhood Cancer Caucus Summit: Erika Ninoyu, ACS CAN Director of Federal Advocacy, participated in the 16th annual Childhood Cancer Caucus Summit hosted by Representatives Michael McCaul (R-TX), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), and Ami Bera (D-CA).

We are excited that the STAR Act received requests for full funding through Labor-HHS-Education bill at $30M in the Senate and the House bill requests a $5 million increase at $35 million dollars. The bill increases transparency and expands opportunities for childhood cancer research at the NIH. It also prioritizes survivorship by expanding research into the long-term side effects of childhood cancer and its treatments.

The Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI) received flat funding by the Senate and a $5M increase from the House. Separately, as mentioned, the administration announced a decision to double CCDI funding within existing funding. On September 17th, the Energy & Commerce Committee unanimously passed the Give Kids a Chance Act (H.R. 1262), which would ensure continued incentives for childhood cancer research and development as well as create a process to look for pediatric uses for newly approved drugs that otherwise were not examined for use in children.

Judicial Updates

• Marketplace Integrity Rule: A federal judge put key provisions of a new rule on hold that would negatively impact Affordable Care Act coverage for nearly two million people. The ruling in City of Columbus v. Kennedy keeps coverage in place for many individuals who may have lost it. ACS CAN filed comments in opposition to the rule during the regulatory phase and filed amicus briefs in two cases opposing the rule, including City of Columbus in early September. That case is now on appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
• Shutdown Affecting Court Cases: Parts of the judicial branch are functioning as normal so far, but the government shutdown has begun to impact other parts of the judiciary. ACS CAN has been closely monitoring a number of cases against the administration that would impact public health. Several have already been “stayed," or paused, at the request of the Department of Justice until the government resumes regular business.

Policy Update

A new study in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science highlights travel distance as a major barrier to clinical trial access, with nearly 38% of Americans over 35 living more than 50 miles from an NCI-funded site and 17% over 100 miles. Access is especially limited in high-incidence regions like the South, Appalachia, and the Great Plains. The paper, led by ACS CAN Senior Policy Analyst, Sharon P. Shriver, Ph.D., finds that expanding NCI funding to currently unsupported facilities could reduce the number of people without access from 17% to just 1.6%, underscoring the need for public policy solutions to expand research infrastructure in underserved areas. Read more.

Advocacy In the News

• Cancer Health: Hundreds of Cancer Advocates Gather in DC to Urge Congress to Sustain Vital Research and Prevention Funding
• Nexstar: Cancer survivors, advocates rally for research funding on Capitol Hill
• Spectrum News: Advocates, Volunteers Take Fight to Fund Cancer Research to Nation's Capital
• Public News Service: Advocates worry for future fight against cancer amid federal cuts
• Worcester Telegram: Sturbridge woman with late-stage ovarian cancer takes center stage in NIH cuts debate
• NBC Washington: Group Calls on Lawmakers for Cancer Research Funding: Interview of ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse
• KUNR Nevada: Nevada advocates urge Congress to protect cancer research and expand screening access
• WFMY North Carolina: From chemo to Capitol Hill: NC survivors speak out against proposed medical research cuts
• WDAY ABC North Dakota: Extending the ACA Tax credit: Interviews of Volunteer Eniola Soetan & Gov. Relations Dir. Ben Hanson