News from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

	June 6th marked the end of the Louisiana’s state legislative session. Advocates like you helped make cancer issues a priority for lawmakers. Here’s a wrap-up of some key legislation the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) supported or opposed this session: The most notable achievement for ACS CAN was passing a bill to expand access to palliative care. This will help to improve the quality and delivery of patient-centered and family-focused care by establishing a State Advisory Council on Palliative Care and Quality of Life, which will serve as a consumer and professional information and education program as well as a palliative care access initiative. Another significant achievement was stopping Big Tobacco’s attempts to destroy tobacco control efforts in the state. The tobacco industry proposed a bill to raise the age of sale of tobacco products to 21. Although ACS CAN supports raising the age of sale on all tobacco products, we strongly opposed this bill because it would have largely benefited the tobacco industry by preventing local control of tobacco and making enforcement of tobacco laws more difficult. Ultimately, the bill failed on the House floor by a vote of 24-55. That’s the power of our voices at work! We are especially grateful for your incredible response on this issue, which made it clear who the REAL tobacco control champions are. We were once again successful in making sure funding was sustained at current levels for crucial cancer prevention and control programs. These programs include the Louisiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Health Program (LBCHP), which provides lifesaving cancer screenings to for low-income and medically underserved women, and the Louisiana Tumor Registry (LTR), an award-winning, statewide population-based registry that compiles information to help guide policies for cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and survivorship. Throughout the legislative session, ACS CAN was there, educating lawmakers on issues that matter to cancer patients and their families.  Fifty advocates joined us in Baton Rouge for our annual Day at the Capitol to meet with their elected officials. As always, your voice made the difference in our success. If you are interested in getting more involved in a local campaign or joining our leadership team, please contact us. Thanks again for all you do to prevent cancer and protect the health of Louisianans! Your ACS CAN Louisiana Team: Lance Barbour and Alice Williams