American Cancer Society Initiative: Letter To The Editor of Newsday Published 2/27/2013

To the editor:

Statistics have predicted that over 34,000 New Yorkers will die from cancer in 2013. Four cancers will account for these fatalities, (i.e.) lung, breast, colorectal and prostate. Lung cancer is the number one killer, accounting for a quarter of all cancer deaths.

Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal threatens to actually cut lifesaving programs that help prevent cancer deaths, instead of increasing funding.

In my community there are thousands of people suffering from cancer and we must do all that we can to ensure that more people are spared the horrors of this insidious disease. Programs such as smoking cessation to help New Yorkers quit smoking, as well as health education which prevents others from starting, should be implemented as part of the Governor’s health and wellness initiatives. At the same time, cancer screenings for uninsured New Yorkers must be continued as a vital service.

Instead of increasing research, early screenings and detection for cancer programs, the Governor’s budget will likely result in them being cut. If these programs fall prey to the Governor’s budget cuts, then the Governor’s budget plan will mean one thing – more devastation caused by cancer. The State Legislature must protect these programs from being reduced or eliminated.

The Governor proposes to take all of the state’s chronic disease programs and lump them into one appropriation with no hint of how much these lifesaving programs will receive. The Governor then cuts the aggregate amount currently funding these programs from roughly $75 million to $63 million. Therefore, I believe that the Governor is cutting these programs without realizing the impact these cuts will have on individuals suffering from fatal diseases such as cancer, who are not able to have access to proper healthcare.

It is imperative that Governor Cuomo realizes the effect that cancer has on the community and the economy.

Preserving funds for cancer research and funding will help to decrease the spread of cancer by maintaining prevention programs and free screenings. In the long run, preserving and increasing funding will save lives and help to create a healthier and more prosperous economy within America.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to reject the Governor’s apparent cut in the state’s tobacco control program and instead ensure that it is adequately funded. In addition, your assistance is needed to support the Governor’s proposal to strengthen Medicaid’s tobacco cessation program.

I would also like to suggest that the apparent budget cut proposed by the Governor be rejected and that CSP funding be maintained at $26.7 million.

Please help Cancer Patients by supporting the Governor’s proposal to fund New York’s Health Insurance Exchange and his proposal to expand Medicaid coverage. Also, additional steps must be taken to keep health insurance affordable. New York State has nearly 2.5 million uninsured people with research estimating that 10 percent of cancer patients are uninsured at the time of diagnosis.

The State Legislature must ensure that these important programs are bolstered, not slashed, by rejecting the proposed budgetary reorganization. These lifesaving programs need an increase in funding, not a decrease in vital programs and research.

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Margaret Bailey