Cancer Advocates to Rally on Thursday at Massachusetts State House to Push Equity-Focused Legislation
BOSTON— Cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates from across Massachusetts are set to gather at the Massachusetts State House on Thursday for an annual advocacy event aimed at urging lawmakers to expand access to cancer care and reduce persistent health disparities.
Organized by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the event—known as Cancer Action Day—will bring volunteers to Beacon Hill to meet directly with legislators and push for several key bills focused on improving outcomes for cancer patients.
Advocates are calling on lawmakers to support legislation that would require insurance coverage for comprehensive biomarker testing, a cornerstone of precision medicine. The proposed measures, House Bill 4339 and Senate Bill 809, aim to ensure broader access to advanced diagnostic tools that use genetic and molecular information to guide cancer treatment.
Supporters say unequal access to biomarker testing has contributed to disparities in care, particularly among underserved communities. Expanding insurance coverage, they argue, would help ensure more patients benefit from the latest advancements in cancer treatment.
In addition, participants will advocate for House Bill 4939 and Senate Bill 692, which seek to expand patient navigation services—programs that help individuals, especially those from historically marginalized or under-resourced communities, better access and manage their care.
Another legislative priority includes proposals tied to the findings of the state’s 2019 commission on pancreatic cancer, including House Bill 2432 and Senate Bill 1484, which aim to reduce incidence and mortality rates associated with the disease.
According to ACS CAN, more than 43,000 Massachusetts residents are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, and nearly 12,500 are projected to die from the disease. Advocates say these figures underscore the urgency of addressing gaps in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Several state lawmakers, including Jacob Oliveira, Meg Kilcoyne, Jess Giannino, and Hannah Kane, are expected to participate in the event and meet with constituents.
Organizers say the goal is to elevate patient voices and push for policy changes that ensure all residents—regardless of background or geography—have equitable access to cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship resources.
ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, has long worked to influence public policy at the state and federal levels, focusing on expanding access to care, increasing research funding, and promoting evidence-based health measures.
