Assemblywoman Monique Limón, D-Santa Barbara, has been named Legislator of the Year, by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in recognition of her work championing legislation that will keep oral oncology medications affordable for cancer patients.
The bill, AB 1860, signed into law last year, gives permanent and affordable access to oral chemotherapy drugs that improve the quality of life for those facing cancer.
The law ensures cancer patients will not be charged by health insurers or health plans more than $250 per prescription for orally administered anti-cancer medication.
“Assemblymember Limón is a fierce advocate for improving the quality of life for cancer patients in California,” said Jim Knox, managing director, ACS CAN California.
“Her legislation, now law, makes it affordable for cancer patients to take oral chemotherapy, and makes it easier for patients to maintain more of the daily routine they held before their cancer diagnosis,” he said. “It also reduces the financial impact that can result with intravenous chemotherapy, which is provided in a clinical setting.”
ACS CAN California, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, selects a legislator each year who has demonstrated leadership and commitment in cancer-related public policy advocacy.
The award was presented April 9, at ACS CAN’s 2019 California’s Legislative Reception, which followed its Cancer Action Day at the Capitol.
ACS CAN gives people impacted by cancer a powerful voice by holding an annual Cancer Action Day to fight for legislation that will reduce the devastation caused by cancer in California.
Nearly 180,000 new cases of cancer are expected this year in California. Sadly, more than 60,000 of the state’s residents will die from the disease.
Other legislative honorees at this year’s ACS CAN California’s Legislative Reception included eight new lawmakers who have a taken a public stance against Big Tobacco by saying no to political contributions from tobacco companies:
State Sen. Anna Caballero and Assemblymembers Luz Rivas, Buffy Wicks, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Cristy Smith, Jesse Gabriel, Wendy Carrillo and Tasha Boerner-Horvath.
For more information about ACS CAN, visit http://www.fightcancer.org.
— Stephanie Winn for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.