Reps. Baeth, Wilz pushing bipartisan effort to fight cancer in Iowa

ANKENY, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) - For the third year in a row, Iowa has the second fastest growing rate of cancer in the nation. And it’s impacting both rural and urban populations, according to the Iowa Cancer Consortium.

Tuesday, healthcare professionals gathered in Ankeny at the Iowa Cancer Summit in Ankeny trying to learn why Iowa’s cancer rate is so high.

One of those is Dr. Mary Charlton with the Iowa Cancer Consortium.

She says that while they’re still doing research on causes, there are a few ways state lawmakers can help reduce cancer, such as raising the tobacco tax by $1.00.

“That’s shown hand down to be the most effective in reducing lung cancer incidence. There’s other policies like, you know, we still let our minors use tanning beds with no restrictions. We’re one of the only states that still does that,” Charlton said.

Two state lawmakers - Rep. Austin Baeth, a Democrat from Des Moines, and Rep. Hans Wilz, a Republican from Ottumwa, tried to get those passed in the 2024 session, but that didn’t happen.

Still, they’re working together to get something passed when the legislative session begins in January. “It’s a non partisan issue. It’s where people work together to find solutions to help Iowans,” Wilz said.

They haven’t yet decided what bills they’ll propose in the upcoming legislative session, but both say they want more funding for cancer research.

“I think what’s really important is that we invest in figuring out the unknown causes of cancer that we haven’t yet identified. We have suspects. We have culprits but we need more data to be able to really connect the dots,” Baeth said.

Wilz says raising awareness will help them. “Getting the kids involved. Getting families involved. It brings awareness to the community and that rises all of us. Talking to your legislator, definitely you want to do that. I mean, if there’s a story you want to tell, make sure they hear it,” Wilz said.

Baeth agrees and says if cancer is a priority of yours, you should reach out to your candidates running for state legislature.

“Just for them to realize that they’re going to be held accountable for their action or inaction on cancer I think is really important for us to see results come in this next legislative session,” he said.

Both Baeth and Wilz are confident they’ll be able to get some legislation passed in the next session, and they’ll continue to chip away at policies they think will help.

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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.

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