ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--AS THE BUDGET CONTINUES INTO OVERTIME, SOME ADVOCATES AND LAWMAKERS RALLY FOR CANCER PREVENTION, EARLY DETECTION AND MEDICAL DEBT TO MAKE INTO THE FINAL BUDGET PLAN. 

“If we’re gonna get serious in New York State about ending cancer as we know it for all New Yorkers, we need to really take a comprehensive approach to addressing cancer,” said Michael Davoli, New York Senior Government Relations Director at American Cancer Society.

DAVOLI SAid THE STATE CAN DO THIS THROUGH EARLY DETECTION, REDUCING PEOPLE’S SMOKING HABITS, AND relieving MEDICAL DEBT.  

THE STATE BUDGET CURRENTLY MAINTAINS FUNDING FOR THE CANCER SERVICES PROGRAM AT $19.8 MILLION WHICH PROVIDES SCREENINGS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CANCER.  

DAVOLI SAid THIS PROGRAM AND THE TOBACCO CONTROL PROGRAM HAS BEEN UNDERFUNDED FOR MANY YEARS.  

“It does cost money to really educate and get those people that need to get screened to get them screened and get them in the door and then the cost of the actual screening. So, more resources is gonna allow us to reach more people, allow the program to reach more people, the same with the Tobacco Control Program,” he said. 

SOME LAWMAKERS SAid THESE PROGRAMS HAVEN’T BEEN A PRIORITY IN BUDGET TALKS SO FAR.  

“Right now, the focus really has been housing, education, and healthcare which is the Medicaid funding where we’re billions apart but we’re feeling a little better about that too,” said Assembly Member Patricia Fahy (D-Assembly District 109).