05 Feb Cancer News You Need: New State Laws on Paid Leave, Medical Debt, Medicaid, and more.

This blog covers the latest news you need about new federal and state legislation, laws, and programs that may impact the cancer community. This month we have information on paid leave, Medicaid, medical debt, Veterans Affairs benefits, and more.

National Updates

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):
  • The VA has expanded PACT Act protections to certain Veterans with these medical conditions :acute and chronic leukemias, multiple myelomas, myelodysplastic syndromes, myelofibrosis, urinary bladder, ureter, and related genitourinary cancers. Learn more about the PACT ACT on our Military & Veterans Resources page .
• Social Security Disability Benefits:
  • The maximum amount an attorney can collect when representing claimants for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)benefits increased from $7,200 to $9,200 on 11/30/2024.

State Updates

• Sick Leave:
  • Starting 7/1/25, workers in Alaska are eligible for paid sick leave. Under Alaska’s Ballot Measure 1 , employees may use up to 56 hours of sick leave per year if they work for an employer with at least 15 employees. If an employee works for a smaller employer, they may use up to 40 hours of sick leave.
  • As of 11/21/24, Massachusetts now allows employees to use their earned sick leave to address their own or their spouses’ physical and mental health needsif they experience pregnancy loss or a failed assisted reproduction, adoption, or surrogacy.
  • Effective 2/21/25, Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) will require employers to provide paid sick leave to eligible employees.Employers with 10 or more employees must allow up to 72 hours of paid sick leave annually. Employers with fewer than 10 employees are required to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave and an additional 32 hours of unpaid sick leave each year. 
  • Starting 5/1/25, employees in Missouri will have access to paid sick leave, under Proposition A . Employees will be entitled to use up to 56 hours of leave, per year, if they work for an employer with at least 15 employees. If an employee works for a smaller employer, they are entitled to use up to 40 hours for sick leave.
  • Starting 10/1/25, Nebraska’s Healthy Families and Workplaces Act , requires employers to give eligible employees paid sick leave for personal or family health needs.Employees will have access to up to 40 hours for employers with fewer than 20 employees, and 56 hours for larger employers. 
• Paid Family Leave:
  • California increases paid disability and family leave benefits.Beginning 1/1/25, California workers will see an increase in paid family leave benefits , with wage replacement rates rising to 70% for all workers and up to 90% for lower-income earners (those earning less than $63,000).
  • As of 5/1/26, Maine’s Paid Family Leave Program will provide eligible employees with 12 weeks of paid time off to care for themselves, family members, or the birth of a child. Maine recently released a FAQ document .
  • Maryland delayed the start of its Paid Family and Medical Leave Program to 7/1/26.
  • Starting 1/1/25, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave will increase the maximum weekly benefit amountfor Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits from $1,149.90 to $1,170.64.
• Medicaid:
  • As of 1/1/25, Colorado has expanded its Medicaid program to cover children and pregnant individuals regardless of immigration status.The Cover all Coloradans program offers comprehensive health benefits to all eligible individuals. The coverage includes prenatal care, pediatric services, and other essential medical coverage.
  • Minnesota expands Medicaid program to all residents, regardless of citizenship or immigration status for coverage, beginning 1/1/25.MinnesotaCare provides health care for individuals with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
  • Oregon launched its Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Bridge program on 7/1/24. The program provides temporary, no-cost health coverage to individuals between 138% and 200% of the federal poverty level and who do not have access to affordable health insurance. OHP Bridge is for people who are more likely to be uninsured or fall in and out of health coverage due to income changes.
• Medical Debt:
  • California passed legislation that prohibits medical debt from being reported to credit agencies starting 1/1/2025.California Attorney General Bonta recommends that consumers regularly check their credit reports to ensure that it does not include any medical debt or other inaccuracies.
  • A new Connecticut law prohibits medical debt from being reported to credit agencies as of 7/1/24.Hospitals, health care providers, and collections agencies cannot report medical debt to credit agencies.

If you are interested in getting more involved in advocate for a policy or law in your state, check out Triage Cancer’s resources on policy and legislative advocacy efforts and considering joining us for this month's webinar Post-Election Advocacy: Getting Engaged . For information about where to access help with immigration issues, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) has free information.

Stay tuned for more news at the national and state level that may impact the cancer community.

About Triage Cancer

Triage Cancer is a national, nonprofit providing free education to people diagnosed with cancer, caregivers, and health care professionals on cancer-related legal and practical issues . Through events , materials , and resources , Triage Cancer is dedicated to helping people move beyond diagnosis. Please visit our website for more free resources related to psychosocial care , stress management , exercise and nutrition , and more. 

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