As Gov. Murphy Releases his Budget Today ACS CAN Emphasizes Crucial Issues That Must Be Addressed

Over 55,000 New Jerseyans Expected to Be Diagnosed with Cancer in 2022

TRENTON, NJ – March 8.2022 – Today, Governor Murphy issued his New State Budget. The following statement can be attributed to Jade Bechelli, New Jersey government relations director of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).

“As we review the budget, ACS CAN looks forward to working with Gov. Murphy in 2022 on an agenda that reduces our state’s cancer rate, helps identify cancers at their earliest- and often most treatable- stage, and ensures that cancer patients are adequately supported as they battle this devastating disease.

“Our priorities include:

Improving Access to Prevention, Early Detection, Treatment and Care

• Increasing Access to Cancer Screening: The New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Screening Program (NJCEED) offers a critically important service to men and women who lack health insurance – 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. Since the pandemic began, state aid for NJCEED has been reduced to $3.1 million annually. With hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans having been forced to delay screening during the COVID-19 crisis, it is critical that we increase our investment in NJCEED. Nearly 9-in-10 New Jersey voters support increasing funding for NJCEED. To help New Jersey catch up on critical screenings, ACS CAN supports New Jersey increase its annual state support for NJCEED to $5 million in Fiscal Year 2022-23.
• Reducing Out of Pocket Costs for Colorectal Cancer Screening—Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in New Jersey. New Jerseyans are increasingly opting for less-invasive colorectal cancer screening tests that can be administered at home. While these tests are covered by insurance, patients can face large out-of-pocket costs if a follow-up colonoscopy is deemed necessary by their doctor. By a more than 2-1 margin New Jersey voters support reducing out of pocket costs for colorectal cancer screening. To ensure that cost is not a barrier to screening, ACS CAN supports legislation that will eliminate patient cost-sharing for colonoscopies following a positive stool-based screening test for colorectal cancer.

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco 

• New Jersey Tobacco Control Programs: Well-funded tobacco control programs can keep kids from starting to use tobacco and help those already addicted quit. With nearly 12,000 New Jerseyans losing their lives to smoking each year New Jersey needs to continue investing in tobacco control if it is to further reduce tobacco use in the state. New Jersey Statute requires that 1 percent of revenue generated by the state’s cigarette tax must be dedicated to tobacco control programs. By a 2-to-1 margin New Jersey voters support increasing the percentage of cigarette taxes dedicated to tobacco control. ACS CAN advocates that New Jersey increase the percentage of cigarette revenue dedicated to tobacco control programs to 5 percent beginning in Fiscal Year 2022-23.

Funding Cancer Research

• New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR):  For more than 30 years, NJCCR has funded promising cancer research in New Jersey. NJCCR promotes significant and original research in New Jersey into causes, prevention, treatment, and palliation of cancer and serves as a resource to providers and consumers of cancer services. ACS CAN will supports New Jersey maintaining the $4 million in funding for the NJCCR in Fiscal Year 2022-23.

“Once we have completed reviewing the budget, we look forward to working with Gov. Murphy and lawmakers to accomplish these crucial goals,” concluded Bechelli.

About ACS CAN at 20

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 saves lives. 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 made workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smoke-free. As we mark our 20th anniversary, we’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers and save more lives from cancer. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.