Advocacy Resources

Advocacy Aimed at Improving Access and Outcomes in Cancer Care: To address policies and practices that affect patient care and access, each participating oncology state society leads a policy and advocacy program focused on legislation and regulations impacting cancer care. The program has expanded its reach by collaborating with local and national organizations and state lobbyists to prioritize key legislative issues.

The policy program has helped establish a policy communication and learning infrastructure in 15 participating states with over 130 engaged multidisciplinary providers across the US, demonstrating the collective power available to drive meaningful change. By collaborating to address key policy issues, members can have a tangible impact on improving patient care and quality of life for both patients and caregivers.

To learn more about your state’s policy committee, email Lu Anne Bankert at lbankert@accc-cancer.org.

2025 Policy Town Hall
In June 2025, multidisciplinary health care professionals, policy experts, and leaders from oncology state societies convened for the second annual Policy Town Hall to examine how state-level advocacy is shaping the future of cancer care within a complex policy landscape.

This year's discussion highlighted legislative progress and emerging challenges across the country. Topics included:

• Advancing pharmacy benefit manager reform and prior authorization oversight
• Expanding access to biomarker testing
• Protecting Medicaid coverage amid policy shifts
• Amplifying patient and clinician voices in advocacy
• Building effective coalitions and leveraging local lobbyists

Gain key insights on how oncology state societies are driving meaningful policy change and shaping equitable, patient-centered cancer care.

The Advocacy Engagement Report provides members with comprehensive case studies on issues that galvanized state societies to act. The report documents the specific actions taken by different state policy committees to affect change.

Read the report to:

• Unlock the 6 keys to successful grassroots advocacy as found in this effort.
• Learn how states without governmental affairs resources leveraged the power of their membership and their committee expertise.
• Benefit from lessons learned.
• Gain inspiration from a nationwide effort across members to effect change.

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Engaging in advocacy through our state societies is one of the most direct ways we can have a voice in healthcare policies impacting the care of our patients.

- Haley M. Simpson, MD, PhD
Chair, Policy Committee, Rocky Mountain Oncology Society

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