ALBANY, N.Y. - Cancer-fighting advocacy groups say the federal budget fight causing across-the-board spending cuts will eliminate 1,670 free screenings for breast and cervical cancer for women in New York without health insurance.
The American Cancer Society and the Cancer Action Network says the federal cuts resulting from the Washington dispute will be compounded by proposed state funding cuts now being negotiated.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget would require preventive programs including anti-smoking efforts and those aimed at specific cancers to make efficiencies and compete for funding. Total funding would be cut by 10 percent. Cuomo's pushes competition as a way to make programs more efficient and ensure public spending is more effective.
A Saratoga County woman supported the groups' effort Wednesday, saying a free screening saved her life.
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