ACS CAN Testifies in Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee Hearing, Outlining Lifesaving Policies for Cancer Patients

TRENTON, NJ – APRIL 26, 2023 – Yesterday, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey Government Relations Director Jade Bechelli testified in front of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, highlighting items to include in the 2023-24 budget—that will prevent cancer diagnoses and save lives from the disease. The following is an excerpt from Bechelli’s testimony.

“In 2023, 56,150 New Jerseyans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer and around 15,230 will die from the disease. The following budget recommendations are guided by evidence-based policies and legislative solutions that, if enacted, will enable New Jersey to lower the number of residents who are diagnosed with and die from cancer each year.

“Budget recommendation #1: Maintain funding for the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED) Program at $5 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024; NJCEED offers a critically important service to men and women who lack health insurance, providing free cancer screening for breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancer. Detected early, these cancers are more easily treated. Failing to have these cancers detected early can lead to deadly consequences. Screenings save lives. NJCEED saves lives. The budget should reflect that.

“Budget recommendation #2: Increase the dedication of Cigarette Tax revenues for tobacco control and prevention initiatives from 1% to 3% in FY 2024; smoking is responsible for 25.8% of cancer deaths in New Jersey while almost 12,000 people die each year from smoking-related diseases of all types, and 143,000 kids under 18 who are alive today will ultimately die from smoking if we do not act more urgently to intervene. Increasing the proportion of the cigarette tax revenue that goes toward fact-based, statewide tobacco prevention and cessation programs will better equip New Jerseyans to stop using tobacco and will dismantle the systemic disparities perpetuated by the tobacco industry.

“Budget recommendation #3: Maintain funding for the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR) at $4 million in FY 2024 and establish a non-lapsing fund for the Commission; for more than 30 years, the NJCCR has promoted significant and original research into causes, prevention, treatment and palliation of cancer and serves as a resource to providers and consumers of cancer services. While the NJCCR continues to do lifesaving work in New Jersey, its impact is limited by a lack of stable funding and an inability to plan for more than one year at a time. We need to protect this statewide resource.”

###

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.