Cancer Advocates React to Governor’s Budget 

 Today, Gov. J. B. Pritzker released his proposed budget for Illinois. Shana Crews, director of government relations in Illinois for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), made the following statement in reaction.

“As an organization dedicated to reducing suffering and death from cancer, ACS CAN is pleased to see the governor taking steps to address public health initiatives in his budget. In his proposed budget, Gov. Pritzker maintained funding for tobacco prevention and tobacco cessation, and the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, both administered by the Department of Public Health.

“Tobacco prevention and cessation funding ensure evidence-based strategies are implemented to reduce tobacco use, the number one cause of preventable death nationwide and the cause of nearly 30% of Illinois cancer diagnoses. Maintaining funding is a vital first step in protecting Illinois youth from tobacco and helping those already using tobacco quit. This is important because we have seen the progress made stall and we are facing skyrocketing youth tobacco use.

“The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program helps fill the health care coverage gap by providing low-income, uninsured and underinsured women access to mammograms and cervical cancer screenings. The impacts of COVID-19 make this program even more critical. By increasing access to care, the state can reduce the number of Illinoians who will hear “you have cancer”.

“We look forward to working with the administration and the legislature to ensure that the final budget includes adequate funding for life-saving cancer screening and prevention programs.”