CALL TO ACTION: New York Members—Help Secure Medicaid Coverage for Optune (TTFields)

As advocates for equitable care, we must ensure that every New Yorker diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM) can access the life-extending benefits of Optune, regardless of income. Optune (Tumor Treating Fields) is FDA-approved and NCCN-recommended for GBM, but without a Medicaid mandate, low-income patients in New York remain unable to receive this proven therapy. In December 2024, the NYS Department of Health’s review committee voted to approve Optune coverage under Medicaid, yet implementation is stalled by budget concerns. S 6736A (for your senator) and A 6935A (for your assemblymember) will require Medicaid FFS to cover Optune effective April 1, 2026.

We need you to log on, complete the official online contact forms for your state senator and assemblymember, and ask them to vote “Yes” on S 6736A / A 6935A before the session adjourns on June 12, 2025. This is the fastest and most direct way to let your legislators know that New Yorkers demand equitable access to Optune. If you are able, please also share this call to action with friends and family across New York so they can submit their own letters—every message counts.

1. Find Your Legislators

1. Locate Your State Senator
   https://www.nysenate.gov/find-senator
   Enter your full street address, city, and ZIP code. Your senator’s name and profile will appear—click it to access their contact form.
2. Locate Your Assemblymember
   https://nyassembly.gov/mem/
   Click “Search by Address,” then enter your street address and ZIP code. Your assemblymember’s name and profile will appear—click it to access their contact form.

2. Submit the Senate Contact Form (S 6736A)

1. Access the Form
   On your senator’s profile page, click “Contact” or “Send Email” to open the web form.
2. Complete the Required Fields
   
   • Name: Your full name.
   • Address: Your street address, city (NY), and ZIP code.
   • Email: A valid email address for confirmation.
   • Subject:
     Support S 6736A – Medicaid Coverage for Optune (TTFields)
   • Message: Paste the text below, replacing bracketed sections with your details:

     Dear Senator [Last Name],
     
     I am a constituent living at [Your Full Address]. I respectfully ask you to vote “Yes” on S 6736A, which would require Medicaid Fee-for-Service to cover Optune (Tumor Treating Fields) for glioblastoma starting April 1, 2026. Optune is FDA-approved and NCCN-recommended, yet patients on Medicaid are currently denied access. Requiring coverage will ensure that low-income New Yorkers can benefit from this life-extending treatment. Please support S 6736A before the June 12, 2025 adjournment.
     
     Thank you for your consideration.
     
     Sincerely,
     [Your Name]
     [City, NY ZIP]

3. Review and Submit
   Verify that all fields are complete and accurate. Click “Submit” (or “Send”). A confirmation message should appear on-screen.

3. Submit the Assembly Contact Form (A 6935A)

1. Access the Form
   On your assemblymember’s profile page, click “Contact” or “Send Email” to open the web form.
2. Complete the Required Fields
   
   • Name: Your full name.
   • Address: Your street address, city (NY), and ZIP code.
   • Email: A valid email address for confirmation.
   • Subject:
     Support A 6935A – Medicaid Coverage for Optune (TTFields)
   • Message: Paste the text below, replacing bracketed sections with your details:

     Dear Assemblymember [Last Name],
     
     I am a constituent living at [Your Full Address]. I respectfully ask you to vote “Yes” on A 6935A, which would require Medicaid Fee-for-Service to cover Optune (Tumor Treating Fields) for glioblastoma starting April 1, 2026. Optune is FDA-approved and NCCN-recommended, yet GBM patients on Medicaid are currently denied access. Requiring coverage will ensure that low-income New Yorkers can benefit from this life-extending treatment. Please support A 6935A before the June 12, 2025 adjournment.
     
     Thank you for your consideration.
     
     Sincerely,
     [Your Name]
     [City, NY ZIP]

3. Review and Submit
   Verify that all fields are complete and accurate. Click “Submit” (or “Send”). A confirmation message should appear on-screen.

4. Encourage Friends & Family to Act

• Share this guide with friends, family, neighbors, and anyone you know in New York who cares about equitable cancer care.
• Explain why it matters: Without S 6736A / A 6935A, low-income GBM patients cannot access the only FDA-approved treatment shown to extend survival.
• Remind them of the deadline: All forms must be submitted by June 12, 2025.

Thank you for standing up for New Yorkers with GBM. By completing these online forms today—and asking others to do the same—you help ensure that Medicaid covers Optune beginning April 1, 2026, giving patients a fighting chance.