JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – More than 75 cancer advocates, survivors and their families and caregivers from all over Missouri gathered at the Capitol Wednesday to meet with lawmakers and ask them to support policies that reduce the burden of cancer, including policies that help patients better afford their medications and make it easier for adults in Missouri to quit tobacco and harder for children to start.
The visit is part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) annual Cancer Action Day, an event that brings volunteer advocates together to call on the legislature to make cancer policy a priority. This year, more than 42,350 Missourians will be diagnosed with cancer.
“Cancer patients don’t have the luxury of pausing their healthcare until they can more easily afford it. ACS CAN is working to ensure that prescription drug copay assistance programs actually benefit the patients they are intended to benefit by ensuring all prescription copayments made by patients—directly or on their behalf—are counted toward their overall out-of-pocket maximum payment or deductible,” said Emily Kalmer, Missouri government relations director for ACS CAN.
ACS CAN is also focused on ensuring the state makes investments in tobacco prevention and cessation.
“The state legislature should continue to invest in tobacco cessation and prevention. Smoking is responsible for 11,000 deaths in our state each year, including 34.4% of cancer deaths. Smoking remains the number one cause of preventable death. We know what works to stop these needless deaths. Investing in programs to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help adults quit has a meaningful, measurable track record of success. Every dollar invested in tobacco control yields an estimated $55 return, primarily in reduced health care costs,” said Kalmer.