Public Policy Advocacy
Directories of your Congressional Representatives:
Sunscreen in Schools
MAC has signed on as a supporter of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association's SUNucate model legislation. This model bill is aimed at ensuring that children attending schools and camps have access to sunscreen and sun-protective clothing, including hats. Many schools nationwide currently require students wanting to use sunscreen during the school day to have a doctor's note or prescription. The SUNucate legislation, which has already passed in several states and is making its way through others, does away with that requirement.
| coalition_letter_-_sunscreen_use_in_school_-_md_hb_427.pdf |
Department of Defense Funding for Melanoma Research
MAC joins the National Council for Skin Cancer Prevention in pressing Congress to include funding for melanoma research in the Department of Defense Appropriations bill. We also endorse efforts by the Melanoma Research Foundation to be sure that all funds appropriated are allocated to qualified research applicants.
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Tanning Beds
MAC Urges Proposed Tanning Bed Restrictions be Finalized
In 2015, the FDA proposed new rule regulating the use of tanning beds. The rule would ban those 18 and under from indoor tanning and require users to sign a risk acknowledgment certificate before use and every six months thereafter. MAC and many of its member foundations submitted comments to the FDA supporting the rule. With the change in administration, the rule sat dormant for four years. We are now urging the Acting FDA Commissioner to finalize it, together with another rule amending performance standards for sublime products.
Evidence linking the use of UV tanning devices to melanoma and other skin cancers is documented and overwhelming. The World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and American Academy of Pediatrics are among the many organizations that condemn tanning bed use. According to a 2012 investigation by the US House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, the tanning industry has specifically targeted the teen market and provided misleading information about the risks of indoor tanning. Parental permission laws do not offer adequate protection for children in these circumstances.
Although we would prefer to see a total ban on indoor tanning, we believe the proposed restrictions are a step in the right direction, one that will help protect the health of our children and educate users about the cancer risk they are assuming. In the meantime, we will continue the pressure on the tanning industry!
Here is a copy of our comments as well as a template for your own use should you like to submit your own. Send to FDA Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock (janetwoodcock@fda.hhs.gov)
| macreq.tofinalizedocket_no._fda-2015-n-1765.pdf |
| fda_letter_template.docx |
Previous letters:
| mac_comments_to_fda_.docx |
| mac_followup_to_fda_.docx |
MAC Joins Effort to Remove Tanning Beds from Gyms
As we continue to support and monitor the progress of legislation restricting tanning beds at the state level, we are also joining the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention in asking our members to contact large national fitness chains such as Planet Fitness and Gold's Gym, asking the to discontinue their tanning services. See the letters below and feel free to use them as models for letters of your own.
As we continue to support and monitor the progress of legislation restricting tanning beds at the state level, we are also joining the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention in asking our members to contact large national fitness chains such as Planet Fitness and Gold's Gym, asking the to discontinue their tanning services. See the letters below and feel free to use them as models for letters of your own.
| ncscp_indoor_tanning_letter_to_planet_fitness_-_jan_2019.pdf |
| ncscp_indoor_tanning_letter_to_anytime_fitness_-_jan._2019.pdf |
| ncscp_indoor_tanning_letter_to_golds_gym_-_jan_2019.pdf |
Tanning Bed Restrictions State to State
MAC members have also begun partnering with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) to support state and local legislation to restrict tanning bed use. Unless and until the FDA's rules are adopted, we must work at the state and local levels to put restrictions in place.
Want to know how your state stacks up in the fight to get tanning bed restrictions in place? ACS CAN provides a handy guide: https://www.fightcancer.org/how-do-you-measure-up Plug in your state to get a quick visual overview of where you stand. Then download the 2018 How do you Measure Up report for more detailed information: https://www.fightcancer.org/sites/default/files/National%20Documents/HDYMU-2018.pdf
MAC members have also begun partnering with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) to support state and local legislation to restrict tanning bed use. Unless and until the FDA's rules are adopted, we must work at the state and local levels to put restrictions in place.
Want to know how your state stacks up in the fight to get tanning bed restrictions in place? ACS CAN provides a handy guide: https://www.fightcancer.org/how-do-you-measure-up Plug in your state to get a quick visual overview of where you stand. Then download the 2018 How do you Measure Up report for more detailed information: https://www.fightcancer.org/sites/default/files/National%20Documents/HDYMU-2018.pdf
Deferment for Active Cancer Treatment Act
Last June, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R. FL) and Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) introduced H.R. 2976, The Deferment for Active Cancer Treatment Act. This legislation would enable individuals who are diagnosed with cancer to defer payments on public student loans while they are actively receiving treatment (and 6 months after), without interest accruing during the deferment period. Seventy-five members of congress representing both parties co-sponsored this bill. On July 12th, Florida Senator Bill Nelson (D), introduced this bill to the Senate. It was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Why should we care?
70,000 new young adult cancer diagnoses are predicted in 2018?. Those patients attending school or beginning new careers may also have student loan obligations. Postponing their debt repayment would allow these patients to concentrate on their treatments and getting healthier without the financial burden of accruing interest rates on their loans.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s3207 is the government website that should provide updated news on this bill.
Two non-profits that concentrate on the special challenges of young adults diagnosed with cancer are advocating passage of this legislation. Please review their websites for more information and sample letters that are designed to facilitate your Congressional support of this necessary legislation.
https://lacunaloft.org/student-loan-deferment-for-active-cancer-treatment-act/
http://cqrcengage.com/criticalmass/app/write-a-letter?2&engagementId=366773
MAC supports this legislation, We urge our members to be involved, and let your friends know that this legislation is critical to our children’s future!
Nursing Education
MAC professional member Victoria Siegel, Professor of Nursing at Molloy College, co-authored an article published this past year in the Medsurge nursing journal. She also worked with nursing students to write a resolution that was passed by the National Student Nurses organization, which now resolves to have skin cancer education in all nursing schools across the country.
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