Statement from Donald Distasio on Health Care Reform
HOUSE ACTION ON HEALTH CARE REFORM IGNITES HOPE FOR FAMILIES FIGHTING CANCER
Statement from Donald Distasio, CEO, American Cancer Society of NY & NJ, regarding House of Representatives passage of Senate health care reform legislation
“Rhetoric, politics, and bickering aside, lawmakers are showing they remember the heart of health care reform - patients. Cancer patients and their families, many teetering on the brink of financial ruin, are anxiously watching as progress unfolds in Washington. This positive momentum must continue.
"The bill contains provisions to refocus the system to emphasize prevention; guarantees quality, affordable coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions; reduces the cost burden on families; eliminates lifetime coverage limits; covers routine health costs for those who enroll in clinical trials; and emphasizes patients’ quality of life. Yes, these are vital issues to those with cancer, but everyone benefits from measures designed to make health care accessible and affordable to all.
"As work begins to reconcile differences in the two houses, we urge legislators to put people ahead of politics and do what is right for America: agree on meaningful health care reform now."
New York Updates
- Tan Ban Passes Assembly; Where is the Senate?
- Cancer Brief #1: Tobacco Control
- ACS on Gov. Cuomo's Proposed Budget
- City policies help New York to be healthier than ever
- Gov.'s Health Insurance Exchange Proposal Promising
- NY Tumbles as Anti-Tobacco Programs Suffer
- Disclosure of Rate Hike Docs Means Transparency
- Blair Horner on Up In Smoke Report
- Implement Health Care Reform
- Save Tobacco Prevention Funding
- Restrict Tobacco Advertising and Marketing
- Combat Obesity
- Protect New Yorkers From Secondhand Smoke
- Maintain the Cancer Services Program
- 2012 New York Legislative Priorities
- Restrict the Sale of E-Cigarettes
- Ban Flavored Tobacco Products
- Keep Kids From Getting Skin Cancer
Unless specifically noted otherwise, the Society, and not ACS CAN, is conducting the activities described on this page.










