People
American democracy is rooted in the idea that the people choose the elected officials who represent them. While the process of choosing our elected officials may have looked different this year and brought with it a range of emotions, one thing is certain - engagement with our democracy must be a year-round exercise, not just something we do every four years. That is why the Dana-Farber Legislative Action Network (LAN) was created and why the LAN helps advocates regularly engage in our democracy.The LAN was created by Dana-Farber’s Vice President of External Affairs, Anne Levine to ensure that Dana-Farber has a grassroots network of people power to advance equity focused legislation regarding cancer care, cancer prevention, and innovation in research to improve the lives of our patients, cancer survivors and their families. Anne recently announced that she will be retiring. We celebrate her 25 years of exemplary service to Dana-Farber and her unwavering advocacy. We are certain that as she enters this next chapter, advocacy will remain a part of Anne’s life.
The Dana-Farber Government Affairs team is doing a full analysis of the people who have been elected in the Massachusetts State Legislature and U.S. Congress. It is these people, collectively known as our legislative branch, who are given the power to make and change laws. The Government Affairs team will reach out to the new members of the state and federal legislative branch to educate them on the research being conducted by Dana-Farber scientists and the world class clinical care delivered by our physicians. In addition, we will ensure new elected officials understand the needs of all of our patients and families, and how Dana-Farber impacts the constituents in the district they represent both as a health care provider and an employer.
In January, after the new and returning members of the state and federal legislative branches are sworn in, the LAN will begin sending out Action Alerts, asking you to reach out to your state and federal elected officials to help advance our legislative priorities. We hope that you will join us and participate in this important work. No matter where you live or who your elected officials are, it is crucial that the people who represent you, hear from you on the issues that you care most about.
Process
2020 has been a year filled with uncertainty and challenges. During this year, following, managing, and understanding the legislative process - the process by which laws are made or changed, was probably not a top priority for most people. That is why the LAN is here. We work year-round to help you understand the process, the people involved in the process, and how to participate in the process and make your voice heard. Our goal is to make your participation in the process as easy and effective as possible. Be on the lookout over the coming weeks and months for exclusive invitations for LAN members to attend virtual webinars to learn more about how the legislative process works and how advocates, like you, can be active participants.While much of the uncertainty and challenges seen in 2020 will remain in 2021, the LAN will continue to make participation in the legislative process a top priority. The LAN work of advocacy continues, and our future is now. We hope you will join with us as an active participant in our democracy.
Priorities
In order to achieve these goals, the Dana-Farber Government Affairs team researches and reviews legislative priorities for both the federal and state legislative branches. We are currently evaluating a new slate of priorities for consideration, that include but are not limited to legislation that:
- Ensures all cancer patients, pediatric and adult, have the option to access telehealth services after the pandemic and public health emergencies end.
- Improves access to cancer clinical trials for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and patients from economically disadvantaged communities.
- Improves access to care for pediatric cancer patients including access to the pediatric palliative care program and providing access to MassHealth for disabled immigrant children, which includes children with cancer.
- Reduces financial barriers, such as out-of-pocket costs, that are associated with accessing cancer diagnostic screenings.
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