National Policy Resources—Local Advocacy Results

As cancer care professionals who experience the challenges of providing quality cancer care first-hand, NCOA members are well positioned to educate decision-makers on how coverage and reimbursement issues affect community oncology. State and federal legislation can have a significant impact on the financial viability of local cancer programs, which is why it's so important that our members make their voices heard.

In an effort to provide resources needed to effectively advocate on the issues that are important to them, our redesigned advocacy webpage features weekly legislation updates from the North Carolina General Assembly, local news, and more.

We want to hear from you! If there is a specific piece of legislation you want to know more about, an important resource we're missing, or if you want to get more involved, please contact us!

Legislative Updates

Senate Considers New COVID Appropriations Bill; Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order Relaxing Additional COVID-19 Restrictions
Friday, April 30, 2021

On Thursday, April 29, the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee discussed SB 172—Additional COVID-19 Response & Relief, which appropriates certain federal grant funds provided to North Carolina under the American Rescue Plan Act. SB 172 will appropriate $9 billion in non-discretionary funds for state and local governments and COVID relief funding such as emergency rental assistance. SB 172 received a favorable report and has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee.

The Governor has yet to make his recommendations for the American Rescue Plan funding for the state, but he is expected to release them in the near future.

A number of other bills were heard in committee and passed the House and Senate this week. View bill chart.
Read Full Update

North Carolina General Assembly Passes Bipartisan COVID Relief Bill
Monday, March 8, 2021

On March 5, HB 196—2021 COVID-19 Response & Relief was introduced and quickly passed the House by a unanimous vote on Wednesday and the Senate by unanimous vote on Thursday afternoon.

Highlights of the bill’s funding measures include:

$600 million for COVID-19 testing, tracing and prevention needs;
$100 million to assist K-12 public schools as they navigate reopening and $40 million to support summer learning programs;
$290 million for higher education emergency relief;
$15 million for the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory to implement alternative COVID surveillance methods; and
$3 million for upgrades to the NC COVID Vaccine Management System.

Read Full Update

Helpful Links

North Carolina State Government Portal
North Carolina General Assembly
Governor's Office
North Carolina Department of HHS
North Carolina Medical Society

Oncology State Societies at ACCC: Snapshot from the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting

In this clip, Stephanie Van Winkle, Executive Director of the Oncology State Societies at ACCC, gives an overview of the important work the Oncology State Societies does to empower its members around state and federal advocacy issues, and help them support cancer care delivery in their state. Join today!