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Advocacy and the American Cancer Society

Advocacy and the American Cancer Society. Advocacy is…. Fighting for a cause Changing public policy Engaging elected officials Government accountability Taking part in democracy Making your voice heard. Different Levels of Advocacy. Federal (US Congress) State (Legislature)

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Advocacy and the American Cancer Society

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  1. Advocacyand the American Cancer Society

  2. Advocacy is… • Fighting for a cause • Changing public policy • Engaging elected officials • Government accountability • Taking part in democracy • Making your voice heard

  3. Different Levels of Advocacy • Federal (US Congress) • State (Legislature) • Local (City/ County Councils) AND….. • Government agencies • Boards

  4. Recent Federal Successes • Increased Funding for Cancer Research through the National Institutes of Health • Continued funding for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program • FDA regulation of tobacco • Increase in federal tobacco tax to fund health care coverage for children • Inclusion of provisions to impact cancer in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

  5. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act • Enhances prevention • Cancer Screenings with no co-pays • Medicare offer prevention plan • Menu labeling for chain restaurants (2011) • Expands coverage • High risk pools available in each state • Children covered under parents’ plan to age 26 • Prohibits denials based on pre-existing conditions for children (current) and adults (2014) • Medicaid covers up to 133% of FPL (2014) • Improves quality of life • Funding for pain management research and training • Reauthorizes Patient Navigator Act

  6. SA Division States Successes • Delaware – continued funding of the state cancer treatment and tobacco control programs; tobacco tax increased to a total of $1.60 per pack • Georgia – sustained level funding for cancer screenings and Cancer State Aid • Maryland – raised cigarette tax from $1 to $2 per pack; increased state funding for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program • North Carolina – passed statewide smoke-free Restaurant and Bar law

  7. SA Division States Successes • South Carolina – increased tobacco tax; passed comprehensive smokefree ordinances at local level • Virginia - passed law to preserve cancer screenings in all small business health policies • Washington DC –increased tobacco tax from $2.00 to $2.50 per pack; Expanded Medicaid to include residents with incomes between 200-400 percent of the FPL • West Virginia – maintained funding for state Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program diagnostic fund, the state tobacco prevention and Quit Line programs, and the comprehensive Cancer Coalition, Mountains of Hope.

  8. 2012 Legislative Priorities • Federal • Funding for cancer research • Protect funding for Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, Patient Navigator program and others • Implementation of Affordable Care Act • Improve pain management policies • State • Tobacco – smokefree air laws and ordinances; tobacco tax; funding for cessation efforts • Insurance Coverage – Implement Affordable Care Act at the state level; Protect insurance coverage for cancer screenings • Maintain funding for state screening and treatment programs • Improve pain management policies • Nutrition and Physical Activity/Education legislation

  9. Advocacy and Non-Profit Status • IRS Lobbying Reports • State Ethics Commission • Elected Officials/Political Candidates at Events Contact your Government Relations staff for assistance

  10. What is ACS CAN? • A separately incorporated entity • Advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society • It is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization • Can conduct unlimited amounts of lobbying • Can do hard-hitting voter education/electoral activity, such as a cancer-specific questionnaire for candidates • $10 membership fee • Donations are not tax deductible to the donor

  11. ACS CAN ACS CAN is a Powerful Tool • CAN do unlimited lobbying! • CAN ask legislators about positions on cancer and TELL voters! • CAN publish voter guides • CAN hold lawmakers accountable! • Much more… • Limited lobbying • Generally, not allowed to advertise or publicize Legislators’ or Candidates’ positions on cancer.

  12. Roles for Volunteers

  13. Partnership of Advocacy and Relay For Life • Almost 60 We CAN Clubs through Relay For Life events in 2011 • Over 1,200 ACS CAN members recruited through Relay in 2011 • More than $15,000 raised for ACS CAN through membership alone • Hundreds of thousands of messages to Members of Congress

  14. Advocacy Resources www.acscan.org The Link > Advocacy > States > your state Government Relations staff in your state

  15. How We Organize to Enact Policies that Impact the Fight Against Cancer

  16. STRATEGY CHART (NSA Exercise February 1, 2012) Issue: 2012 Bill to Establish Health Exchange with ACS Consumer Protections

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