Policy Agenda 2021-2022

At a Glance

Our policy agenda includes goals and objectives that advances the Wisconsin Cancer Plan. The Policy Committee develops this biennial agenda and provides education and recommendations to members of the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative to advance the agenda’s goals.

View the 2021-2022 Policy Agenda is below.

Key Staff

Staff Facilitator: Amy Johnson

Policy Committee Chair: Kurt Oettel, MD

Policy Goals

Goal 1: Increase availability of and access to comprehensive health insurance coverage.

  • Increase access to Medicaid for uninsured adults.
  • Eliminate insurance loopholes that limit ability to receive medically necessary prevention, genetic counseling, screening, treatment, and survivorship services.
  • Ensure protections for pre-existing conditions and lifetime limits are maintained.

CONNECTION TO THE PLAN

Chapter 1

Health Equity

Goal 2: Decrease tobacco use and exposure to tobacco.

  • Raise the cigarette tax and support policies that tax all tobacco products at the same rate.
  • Strengthen policies to restrict youth access and use of cigarettes, other commercial tobacco products, and e-cigarettes.
  • Maintain and expand clean air laws and policies to include e-cigarettes.

CONNECTION TO THE PLAN

Chapter 2

Risk Reduction

Goal 3: Increase access to cancer prevention vaccination services.

  • Require all insurance carriers to cover the complete cancer prevention vaccine series for all eligible patients at no cost.
  • Maintain funding for Vaccines for Children program to provide no-cost vaccinations to Medicaid eligible, uninsured, and American Indian / Alaskan Native children.
  • Include vaccination programs in the WIC program.

CONNECTION TO THE PLAN

Chapter 3

Early Detection and Screening 

Goal 4: Reduce barriers to cancer screening and increase insurance coverage for diagnostic testing.

  • Keep decision-makers informed on the current recommendations for cancer screenings.
  • Provide full insurance coverage for diagnostic testing, including after a positive or inconclusive screening result.
  • Establish a registry that tracks cancer screening completion.

CONNECTION TO THE PLAN

Chapter 4

Treatment

Goal 5: Reduce cancer costs incurred by patients and families.

  • Educate policymakers on the impact of financial stress of cancer care outcomes.
  • Reduce out-of-pocket costs supporting cancer treatment and associated expenses.

CONNECTION TO THE PLAN

Chapter 5

Survivorship

Goal 6: Ensure access to quality palliative care.

  • Establish a palliative care advisory council in Wisconsin.
  • Increase insurance coverage of palliative care conversations and services.

CONNECTION TO THE PLAN

Chapter 6

End of Life

Other Actions:

To get involved or ask a question about the Policy Agenda or Policy Committee, contact us.