Advocacy Work Illustration for Life Beyond Cancer

Cancer Facts and Figures:• 11M cancer survivors are living today.• 1/3 of all cancers are tobacco related (170,000 in 2008).• 1/3 of all cancers are linked to poor nutrition, physical inactivity and excess weight.• 50% of new cancer cases could be prevented or detected earlier through effective screening.• $219 billion is the total cost of cancer in the United States in 2007.• Over $3 billion has been invested by the American Cancer Society (ACS) in cancer research nationwide.

Fight for Meaningful Health Care Reform

The American Cancer Society is working with lawmakers to pass laws that will:• eliminate pre-existing conditions• ensure that all Americans have health care coverage • reduce out-of-pocket costs that serve as a barrier to lifesaving cancer care

Introduction

Advocacy Efforts at Federal Level

Initiatives signed by President Obama• $.62 cigarette excise tax increase to fund increased access to care for children (State Children’s Health Insurance Program)•Food and Drug Administration regulation of tobacco products (June ’09)

Funding secured (September ‘09):• $30.3 billion to the National Institutes for Health for additional research • $1.2 billion to the National Cancer Institute for upgrading cancer facilities across the country

American Cancer Society mission legislative priorities• Transfer current “sick care” system to place emphasis on disease prevention• Ensure Americans have access to health care that is affordable, adequate, available, and administratively simple• Emphasize patient-centered care that stresses quality care through the end of life

Advocacy Efforts at Illinois State Level

Smoke-Free Illinois “trailer bill” secured (January 2009)Advanced state legislation for a $1/pack cigarette tax through the Illinois Senate (April ’09)Defended the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Program from catastrophic budget cuts Two cancer-fighting bills for Colorectal, Prostate and Testicular Cancer signed by Governor Pat Quinn (August ’09) • To provide access to screening and treatment for uninsured • To improve chances of detecting and treating colorectal, prostate and testicular cancer at an earlier, more treatable and survivable stage.

•Open Issue: State budget crisis prevented the funding needed to launch the cancer screen and treatment programs. More advocacy effort needed to secure funding for these programs and for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention program.

The final congressional bill will be evaluated to determine whether the bill advances the American Cancer Society mission and should be endorsed.

• A Health Care Reform law will not stop the need for continued advocacy efforts.• Volunteer leadership must remain empowered and diligent to advance the fight against cancer.

• 8,000 personal cancer stories captured on the Express Bus and at Relay For Life and delivered to legislators (September ’09) •12,000 new advocacy volunteers through cultivation and grassroots activities •1700 signed petition/postcards sent to elected officials•“Plant It Pink” fundraising initiative raised over $44,000 and recruited 1600 ACS Cancer Action Network members•Health Care Reform Vigils held in Chicago, Champaign and Springfield, IL (11-3-09)•Signed poster boards supporting ACS legislative priorities delivered to 19 members of the House of Representatives. Poster boards for Senators Dick Durbin and Roland Burris will be delivered prior to the Senate vote on the Health Care Reform bill.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."-Margaret Mead

Cathy Lieberman Advocacy Chair, American Cancer Society Chicago Leadership Board

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network member

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

References and Acknowledgments

References:Cancer Research in Illinois 2008 ReportIllinois Cancer Facts & Figures 2008-2009Survey on the Role of Health Care Interest Groups: NPR/Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard School of Public Health 9-2009

Acknowledgments:The author acknowledges the American Cancer Society Illinois Division and Chicago region. Special thanks go to:•Jacqueline Burgess-Bishop, Regional Vice President•Michael Grady, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations•Kristie Marcelle, State Grassroots Advocacy Manager

ACS Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. Both organizations share the same goals: to save lives and to diminish suffering from cancer. The Society and ACS CAN take different routes to meet these shared goals (see chart on ACS CAN vs. the Society).

Who Will Provide Insurance?

Insert chart from Kaiser

survey

Information included on this poster is current as of 11-18-09

• Over 30,000 supporters of American Cancer Society advocacy issues• Over 10,000 calls to action made to legislators regarding Health Care Reform• 72 legislative visits (61 State and 11 Federal)

•The American Cancer Society has earned recognition as the most trusted voice (>70%) in the health care debate and earned a seat at the table to shape legislation (see NPR, Kaiser, Harvard survey results chart)

ACS CAN has voiced its support of The Affordable Health Care for America Act which if enacted will:• Enhance prevention and early detection• Increase access to affordable care

Employer ProvidedEmployer Provided Government ProvidedGovernment Provided Individual MarketIndividual MarketBan on exclusions from pre-existing conditions

Medicaid expansion Individual insurance mandate

Ban on benefit capsfor preventative care

Close “donut hole” in Medicare Part D (no coverage in prescription drugs unless catastrophic illness)

New consumer protection

Cap on annual out-of-pocket Waivers of co-pays for prevention Create health insurance exchanges to encourage competition

Guaranteed 100% coverage Increased payments for primary care Subsidize insurance for people between 133-300% of poverty level

Allow young adults to stay on family plan

Unsubsidized for people over 300% of poverty level

Grassroots Advocacy Efforts in 2008/2009

Two-year education and grassroots advocacy campaign launched to empower volunteers

• Fight back Express Bus in 2008 raised awareness of Health Care Reform and the need for an advocacy movement • Collected 1400 signatures in Illinois• Shared personal cancer survivor stories• Highlighted national “voter guides” for presidential candidates

What ACS CAN DoesWhat ACS CAN Does What the Society DoesWhat the Society Does

Leads a national grassroots movement of cancer survivors and their families to change laws to fight cancer

Funds research

Holds lawmakers accountable for votes on cancer-related issues

Provides cancer information to the public

Educates the public, lawmakers, candidates, and the media about cancer issues

Educates the public on cancer treatment, prevention and early detection

Publishes voter guides Works in local communities to help cancer patients

Allow young adults to stay on family plan

Provides funding for advocacy and public policy work