ACS CAN 2015Legislative Update

Jen SchulteAmerican Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Objectives

• Understand the state’s political climate and the impact on our priorities

• Review ACS CAN’s state legislative priorities for Iowa

• Review ACS CAN’s federal legislative priorities

• Understand ACS CAN and how you can get involved

Iowa

• Republican controlled House and Governor; Democrat controlled Senate

• Legislative session began January 11 (100 days)• Legislative priorities:

– Reduce skin cancer through limiting exposure to tanning devices

– Increase funding for tobacco prevention program– Protect funding for lifesaving cancer research and screening

programs– Reduce obesity by improving nutrition and increasing physical

activity– Advance legislation to reduce the expose of radon

Tanning Prevention

Tanning Prevention

• Melanoma is one of the most common cancers among young people

• Tanning device use before the age of 35 significantly increases the risk of melanoma

• Tanning devices have been classified as carcinogenic to humans, the same as tobacco and asbestos

• Over 1,000 new cases of melanoma are expected in Iowa this year

Tanning Restriction Bills

• Would prohibit all youth under the age of 18 from using tanning devices

• Two bills that are alive– SF232– HF420

• Neither bill has language for parental consent or a medical exemption

Tobacco Prevention

Tobacco Prevention

• Tobacco-related diseases remain Iowa’s most preventable cause of death• IA spends $1 billion in tobacco-related health

care costs each year• These costs are borne by all Iowans regardless

of whether they use tobacco products• Tobacco prevention and cessation services save

lives and save money

Obesity Prevention• The prevalence of those who are obese in the U.S. has

risen to 34%• Iowa has the 12th highest adult obesity rate in the

nation (31.4 %, up from 23.4 % in 2004 and from 12.2 % in 1990)• Nearly 50 % of U.S. adults and 65 % of adolescents do

not get the recommended amount of physical activity each day• People who have parks or recreational facilities nearby

exercise 38 % more than those who do not have easy access• Adults and children need more places to be

active

Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School• In 2012, 4,743 pedestrians were killed in

traffic crashes in the United States, and another 76,000 pedestrians were injured

• Eliminating one bus route, based on average per-pupil expenditure and average number of pupils per bus, would save a school district approximately $37,000 per year

• People walking are more than twice as likely to be struck by a vehicle in locations without sidewalks

Radon

• Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that is produced from the day of natural occurring uranium in the soil

• Unique situation in Iowa• Iowa’s radon concentrations are more than 6

times the national average• US EPA surveys in Iowa found that 70 percent

of homes contain radon above the US EPA’s radon action level

Radon Prevention

• A bill that would require short-term testing and retesting for radon at public school attendance centers: HF584• Passed the committee in the House Local

Government Committee• It has been referred to Education Committee

Health and Human Services Budget – Governor’s Recommendations

• $5.3 million for tobacco use and control initiatives

• $570,993 for comprehensive cancer control programs– $150,000 for melanoma research

• $126,450 for colon & cervical screenings• $300,000 for cervical cancer screening

program to a broader range of low income

Federal Campaign Issues• Appropriations for cancer research, prevention and early

detection– One Degree Project– 6 billion increase for NIH with 1 billion going to NCI

• Patient and survivor quality of life– Legislation to facilitate access to palliative care and

coordinated care management for cancer patients and survivors

– Addresses workforce needs, research and patient access with the goal of bringing palliative care to scale in the U.S.

• Cancer Prevention and early detection – 80 Percent by 2018– Support the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer

Screening Act– Would remove Medicare patient cost-sharing requirements

for colorectal cancer screening

How you can get involved and join the fight!

• Contact your elected officials• https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

• Become a member of ACS CAN– Help support a presence at the Iowa capitol and U.S.

capitol to be a voice on cancer issues.– Stay up to date on state and federal legislative efforts– Receive action alerts when we need you to take action

on important issues– Information related to volunteer trainings and ACS CAN

events– www.acscan.org/donate

Thank you

Final Questions?

Any Final Questions?