STATE ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS: SUCCESSES
Big Wins in Vermont
Just recently, Vermont had three big legislative wins:
- Indoor Tanning Ban on Minors – Following California’s law that was passed late last year, Vermont has passed an indoor tanning ban for all minors under the age of 18. This new law aligns with American Cancer Society and ACS CAN’s policy standards established in March 2010. This is also a great victory during May’s Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
- Tobacco Control Funding – $500K increase to Vermont’s Tobacco Control Program aimed at increasing cessation and prevention services through the Department of Health.
- Tobacco Tax Equity on other tobacco products: Due to significant price differences between little cigars and cigarettes, the tobacco companies were able to find a loophole in the tax system to create products that are more appealing to youth due to the low cost and flavoring of these products. Vermont was able to secure a tobacco tax equity provision in the Misc. Tax bill which redefines little cigar category by raising the poundage in the tax structure which will increase the tax placed on little cigars (doubling the price) bringing them up to the same level as cigarettes. Having little cigars taxed on the same level as cigarettes makes them less appealing to youth.
Congratulations to Vermont on these victories!
California Designates Benchmark Plan
Last Friday, California joined Washington in being the only two states that have designated a benchmark plan for the private health insurance market that will serve as the essential health benefits (EHB) for all individual and small group plans offered inside their health exchange and in the outside market. Congratulations to California on this accomplishment!
Hawaii Passes Oral Chemotherapy Parity Law
Governor Abercrombie signed an oral chemotherapy parity bill into law on April 20. Some of you may know that Hawaii already had a similar law in place, but this new version adds more consumer cost protections in place so that oral chemotherapy is similar in cost to IV chemotherapy. This is a huge win for cancer patients in the State of Hawaii. Great work!
Indianapolis, IN Goes Smoke-Free
Mayor Ballard of Indianapolis, IN signed a smoke-free ordinance into law on Thursday, April 19. The law will cover 100% of workplaces, restaurants and bars and includes e-cigarettes. The ordinance will go into effect June 1st. Congratulations on this victory, Indianapolis!
Florida Fully Funds Breast and Cervical Cancer Program
Today, Governor Scott signed Florida’s budget which included, for the first time in the program’s history, full state-matching funds for the Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. For many years, Florida was one of just a handful of states that didn’t give any state-matching funds to their program, which meant that many medically under-served women were going without these important life-saving cancer screenings. Congratulations to Florida on this huge victory!
