Five Questions With: Susan Roberts

"PROGRESS HAS been made in Rhode Island, but we cannot rest on our past successes and must re-invest in this life saving program."

Susan Roberts is the director of government relations for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in Rhode Island. She works out of ACS CAN’s Warwick office, has been with the organization for 15 years, and has been in Rhode Island for five years. The network makes public policy health decisions based on evidence-based scientific research. During her time here she has been appointed to the Governor’s Commission for Health Care Reform and has served on the Board of Directors of the Partnership to Reduce Cancer. Here she discusses the nonprofit’s positions on key public health and cancer issues.

PBN: Has the ban on tobacco in public places been effective in Rhode Island? And if so what remains to be done?
ROBERTS:
ACS CAN has led the effort in passing strong tobacco control laws that have led to reductions in smoking prevalence, but much remains to be done. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Rhode Island Work Place Safety Act. This act takes a step to minimize the impact of secondhand smoke by prohibiting smoking in certain public venues – however, some loopholes remain that need to be closed including casinos, hookah bars and emerging products. This legislative session ACS CAN is urging lawmakers to take it “back to basics” by supporting the evidence-based methods of helping tobacco users quit and protecting kids from ever becoming hooked to this deadly product.
Reinvestment in the R.I. Tobacco Control Program is critical to this success. The program provides a set of comprehensive local treatment services including those to help tobacco users quit, prevent youth from using these dangerous products, eliminating nonsmokers’ exposure to secondhand smoke, and identifying and eliminating health disparities relating to tobacco use. Over the past nine years, funding for the state’s tobacco control program has been slashed from $3.1 million to $388,000 to combat the number one preventable cause of death in the Ocean State.
Progress has been made in Rhode Island, but we cannot rest on our past successes and must re-invest in this life saving program. Tobacco is still the number one preventable cause of death nationwide. In Rhode Island this year alone, it will be responsible for 16,000 deaths and will cost the state $640 million in related health care costs.

PBN: Obesity prevention has become a popular cause and it’s included on your 2015 legislative priorities for Rhode Island. What’s the link with cancer?
ROBERTS:
One-third of all cancers can be attributed to poor nutrition, physical inactivity and excess weight. While national, state and local efforts have improved the nutritional quality of foods provided and sold in schools, some schools still permit the marketing of foods high in calories, fat and sugar and of minimal nutritional value. That marketing includes sales, free samples and advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages; corporate-sponsored fundraising programs which encourage students and their families to sell, purchase, and consume foods and beverages with little nutritional value; incentive programs, which reward children with free or discounted foods or beverages when they reach certain academic goals; sponsorship of school programs or events; and branded educational materials.
ACS CAN is working with the American Heart Association and key partners to educate the public, parents, school educators and the general assembly around the importance of nutrition, physical activity and the effects of marketing to youth. The advertising of certain foods could interfere with school messages promoting good health and academic success.
If children are taught through school health and nutrition curriculum to limit their intake of these foods and at the same time the foods are promoted by school-based advertising and marketing, the lessons of school health and nutrition curricula are undermined. The marketing also undermines parents’ efforts to feed their children a healthy diet.

PBN: What is the Women’s Cancer Screening Program and why is it needed at a time when more and more people have health coverage?
ROBERTS
: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Rhode Island. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, referred to as the Women’s Cancer Screening Program in Rhode Island, has provided breast and cervical cancer screening, follow-up and referral for treatment including a mammogram, clinical breast exam, Pap test, HPV test and pelvic exams to uninsured and underinsured women.
The program provides a pathway to Medicaid coverage for those women diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer or a diagnosis of a pre-cancer breast or cervical condition. Since the program’s inception, over 35,000 women have been enrolled into the program and approximately 5,000 women are being screened annually.
Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has increased access to health care for many women now having health insurance for the first time. However, many low-income women are experiencing financial barriers to accessing breast/cervical follow-up (diagnostic) services because of costs associated with high co-pays and deductibles. To address these barriers, the program will begin to assist with covering the cost of co-pays and deductibles related to breast/cervical follow-up (diagnostic) procedures for Rhode Island women with health insurance who meet program income guidelines.

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PBN: What is the nonprofit’s position on potential cuts in the governor’s budget to Medicaid and how does it affect your organization?
ROBERTS
: ACS CAN is dedicated to ensuring the Ocean State will have access to timely, affordable and quality health care by ensuring the implementation of the federal ACA, and that state programs remain viable and affordable sources for health care coverage.
Historically, cancer patients and survivors have faced many challenges in an effort to find adequate, affordable health care. The barriers can be significant and are a major obstacle to achieving our goal to reduce cancer incidence and mortality.
Currently the Medicaid program provides affordable health care to more than one in four Rhode Islanders. As of February 2015, Medicaid served 158,000 children and parents, including 9,600 children with special health care needs and 2,400 children in substitute care; close to 62,000 adults who recently enrolled thanks to the decision by Rhode Island lawmakers to accept the federal funds set aside for our state to increase access to care through the state Medicaid program; and 47,800 seniors and adults with disabilities (including 33,374 consumers who also have Medicare coverage).
Medicaid is a lean program providing health coverage to low- and middle income individuals and families, many with complex health needs. Reforms to Medicaid should focus on improving the value of health care through prevention, care coordination and disease management. ACS CAN will continue to advocate for cancer patients in the discussion regarding proposed cuts to Medicaid.

PBN: What are your goals for boosting membership fund-raising in the coming year?
ROBERTS
: Our 2015 fundraising and membership strategies are outgrowths of successful efforts put forth in 2014 by ACS CAN and local corporate partners.
Last fall, we kicked off the Inaugural ACS CAN Rhode Island Research Breakfast. More than 100 leaders came together to support ACS CAN’s efforts to make cancer issues a top priority for policymakers in Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. Former Lt. Governor Bernie Jackvony is the chairman of the event. Keynote speakers included former Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, Dr. Erica Larschan and Kayla Rosati, who spoke of incredible advancements in cancer treatment and the research being conducted at institutions in Rhode Island. They reminded us of the powerful role that public policy plays in the fight against cancer.
Ray Sabella shared his courageous story of fighting cancer by participating in clinical trials. These breakthrough treatments are providing hope to Ray and many others.
We are excited to have Bernie Jackvony serve as the 2015 chairman with state Rep. Joseph McNamara as the honorary co-chairman. The planning for the 2015 Rhode Island Research Breakfast is well underway.
One of our goals is to expand our ACS CAN corporate membership through event sponsorship. The event will be held on Oct. 9 at the Hope Club in Providence from 8:30 to 10 a.m. For more information, contact todd.ellison@cancer.org or 401-243-2622.

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