National Conference of State Legislatures

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What is the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)?
The NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. NCSL is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of state governments before Congress and federal agencies. NCSL was founded to provide information to legislators to make sound policy decisions based on reliable, objective and comprehensive analyses on pertinent issues. 

How are the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) and NCSL working together to improve the lives of people affected by cancer?
The NCSL and the LAF have partnered to broaden state legislators' awareness of cancer survivorship issues and to support a comprehensive approach by state-level policy makers and health officials to address survivorship needs. Through a one-year cooperative agreement, the NCSL developed and administered a self-assessment tool among state legislators. The tool measured legislator's awareness of policies that affect all areas of cancer survivorship. 

The NCSL and the LAF also developed the Cancer Survivorship: State Policy Issues booklet. This booklet is intended to educate policymakers on the range of issues affecting cancer patients and survivors.   Copies of this booklet were distributed to key state legislators.  

An additional effort to promote awareness of survivorship issues among legislators is a LegisBrief, which will be distributed to all legislators and legislative staff members in the country.  The LegisBrief directs readers to LAF and NCSL for additional information and examples of cancer survivorship and policies.

How can I get involved?
You can further the work of the LAF and NCSL by joining the LAF advocacy team at www.livestrong.org/jointheteam.  By joining the advocacy team, you will receive regular updates and action alerts about key legislative issues that affect the quality of life of cancer survivors.  Key survivorship issues include health insurance, employment, pain management and fertility issues.  You will also learn how you can get involved in advocacy activities such as LIVESTRONG Day, an LAF grassroots event to make cancer a national priority.