Advocacy Committee Mission: To create and maintain relationships with local, state and national elected officials so that the Breast Cancer Coalition may have opportunities to advocate for and lend support to breast and gynecologic cancer-relevant bills and public policies.
The Breast Cancer Coalition advocates at the local, state, and national levels for legislation that supports our mission and funds breast and gynecologic cancer research focusing on prevention, cause, and cure. As a dedicated group of survivor advocates and determined community members, we work with elected officials throughout New York State, prioritizing bipartisan engagement to best empower our survivor community. Our goal is to ensure that survivor advocates feel empowered and have a seat at the table to share their lives experiences.
We collaborate with grassroot organizations, universities and other institutions to increase awareness about environmental exposures and their links to cancer, along with other public health concerns. We work together with state and national organizations to further our goal to end breast and gynecologic cancers such as: Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Clean + Healthy, the National Breast Cancer Coalition, SHARE Cancer Support, and Metavivor.
We collaborate with grassroot organizations, universities and other institutions to increase awareness about environmental exposures and their links to cancer, along with other public health concerns. We work together with state and national organizations to further our goal to end breast and gynecologic cancers such as: Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Clean + Healthy, the National Breast Cancer Coalition, SHARE Cancer Support, and Metavivor.
Current Legislation:
STATE – Beauty Justice Act (A2054/S2057)
“Provides for the regulation of ingredients in personal care products and cosmetics; prohibits the sale of personal care products and cosmetic products containing certain restricted products.”
- Sponsors: Glick (Assembly), Webb (Senate)
- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can increase the amount of estrogen in women’s bodies. Around 70% of breast cancers are estrogen receptor positive (ER+), meaning that it is triggered by too much estrogen (Cleveland Clinic).
- On average, a person uses around 12 personal care products every day (Environmental Working Group).
- Black women are at higher risk because they use more hair products than other demographics, creating significant equity difference to toxic exposures. Targeted marketing practices and racist standards of beauty also contribute to these disparities.
- The bill passed the Senate in the legislative session in 2025, but it did not pass in the Assembly. The bill passed in the Senate again in April 2026, but unfortunately it did not pass in the Assembly. The bill will therefore not be signed into law in 2026.
FEDERAL – Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R.2048/S.3442)
Aims to waive the 5-month wait period for SSDI and the subsequent 24-month wait period for Medicare for those living with metastatic breast cancer who are under age 65 and have reached the point of disability due to disease or treatment.
- Sponsored by Rep. Garbarino [R-NY-2] in the House of Representatives, introduced 3/11/25. Sponsored by Sen. Murphy [D-CT] and Sen. Murkowski [R-AK] in the Senate, introduced 12/11/25.
- Referred to House Ways and Means Committee on 3/11/25 and to Senate Committee on Finance on 12/11/25.
- In 118th Congress, gained 272 cosponsors – including every NY representative other than Rep. Claudia Tenney.
- H.R.2048 has 259 cosponsors in the House and S.3442 has 7 cosponsors in the Senate as of 7/21/26.
FEDERAL – Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2025 (H.R.4101)
“To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan (or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan) to provide for cost-sharing for oral anticancer drugs on terms no less favorable than the cost-sharing provided for anticancer medications administered by a health care provider.”
- Sponsored by Rep. Grothman [R-WI-6]. Introduced on 6/24/25. Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- As of 6/1/26, the bill has 27 cosponsors, including Rep. Morelle [D-NY-25] (original cosponsor) and Rep. Kennedy [D-NY-26].
- Currently, oral anticancer drugs are covered under a health insurance plan’s pharmacy benefit, which can result in paying a portion of the drug’s cost and exorbitant out of pocket costs. This bill would help to provide equity between oral anticancer drugs and those administered intravenously (covered under a health insurance plan’s medical benefits). This is of particular importance for individuals living in rural communities who may have to travel several hours to the closest cancer center for IV administered drugs, whereas an oral anticancer drug could be taken at home.
We’d love to talk with you! Call us 585-473-8177 or email today!
