Cancer Survivors Connect with New York State Lawmakers for ‘Cancer Action Day’
Advocates urged state legislators to address gaps in New Yorkers’ access to lung cancer screening, paid leave and patient navigation services
ALBANY, NY – APRIL 29, 2025 – Over 130 volunteer advocates from across New York, including cancer survivors, patients and caregivers, convened at the state Capitol today for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ an event hosted annually by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Advocates met with their state lawmakers and urged them to support policies that aid in the fight against cancer.
“Cancer Action Day is a chance for patients and survivors to elevate their voices,” said ACS CAN New York Senior Government Relations Director Michael Davoli. “Our organization is committed to working with state lawmakers to help prevent, treat, and end the cancer burden as we know it – for all New Yorkers. Our message to lawmakers today is – you play a crucial role in that fight.”
The focus of this year’s Cancer Action Day was threefold—to encourage lawmakers to pass respective legislation that aims to (1) give New Yorkers the best chance at surviving lung cancer, (2) update the state’s paid family and medical leave program for the first time since 1989 and (3) expand access to patient navigation services across the state.
ACS CAN volunteers came out in droves to promote the importance of the legislative proposals, including two-time lung cancer survivor Jacqueline Nesbit, who has navigated high out-of-pocket expenses associated with lung cancer screening. She was motivated to attend Cancer Action Day because of Senate Bill 2000. This legislation, which recently passed unanimously in the Senate, would eliminate cost-sharing for lung cancer screenings and follow-up tests for all eligible New Yorkers insured through a state-regulated health plan, including Medicaid.
“We need to do better in detecting lung cancer in New York. Screening is incredibly effective but very few New Yorkers who are eligible for screening actually receive it. This is often because the cost burden for follow-up care is too high and inhibits people from completing the lifesaving screening process,” said Nesbit.
She was joined by fellow ACS CAN volunteer Stacey Betler who sees the effort to improve New York’s paid family and medical leave programs as personal. Betler was 27 years old when, pregnant with her second child, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and promptly fired from her job.
“Our state’s paid leave programs do not meet the needs of the people they aim to serve. It surely did not alleviate the near insurmountable burdens I faced as a cancer patient and sole provider for my kids. I was fighting for my life and my livelihood and looking to the state for real support,” said Betler. “Had the state’s paid leave programs enabled me to receive job protection, health insurance continuation and a livable wage, I might’ve weathered the storm without half the trauma that I still carry with me today, 15 years later,” she continued.
Senate Bill 172 and Assembly Bill 84 would provide patients with what Betler lacked. Among other improvements to the program, it would remove the $170/week cap on benefits and increase the stipend to 67% of the state’s average weekly wage by 2029.
Advocates also connected with lawmakers on improving access to patient navigation, a personalized health care delivery service that helps patients navigate the complex health care system to receive timely care. Emily Tier, a palliative care social worker from Binghamton, was on hand at the Capitol to highlight how patient navigation is transforming cancer care.
Tier said, “Navigating the health care system can be immensely intimidating and confusing for patients, especially those coming into contact with the system for the first time. Patient navigators provide information and support to guide patients through appointments, treatments, and, ultimately, survivorship. They are bridges to connections and resources that can change the course of a patient’s cancer experience.” She continued, “Patient navigation is a service that has shown to improve health outcomes and that has the potential to reduce costs. Where we can, we need to prioritize improving access to resources that we know can lead patients to more time doing what matters most to them with who matters most to them. I hope lawmakers agree and become sponsors of Assembly Bill 6586 and Senate Bill 5565.”
A6586/S5565 would require all state-regulated health plans in New York State, including Medicaid, to begin reimbursing for patient navigation services.
Another key part of Cancer Action Day was ACS CAN’s recognition of two state legislators, Senator Roxanne Persaud of southeast Brooklyn and Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter of Syracuse, who were presented with the “Distinguished Advocacy Award” for their contributions in the fight against cancer.
“Senator Persaud and Assemblywoman Hunter have been invaluable allies in our mission to reduce the cancer burden across New York. Their leadership in expanding access to biomarker testing and removing barriers to cancer screening have brought hope into patients’ lives and equity into conversations around cancer care. ACS CAN could not be more grateful for their work on behalf of the cancer community,” said Davoli.
For more information on ACS CAN initiatives or to get involved with advocacy in New York, visit www.fightcancer.org/newyork.
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN empowers volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence evidence-based public policy change that improves the lives of people with cancer and their families. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.
