SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — Illinois lawmakers are taking steps to improve cancer care in Illinois.

Anew resolution is being introduced to create a cancer patient bill of rights. It was written in partnership with the Cancer Care is Different Coalition.

While the resolution won’t create any new laws, lawmakers say it’s the first step in addressing health care disparities. The resolution said early diagnosis and high-quality treatment can make the difference between life and death for people diagnosed with cancer. The focus– access to care.

Cancer survivor Valarie Traynham works closely as a patient advocate for people diagnosed with cancer. Traynham said many of the people she works with don’t receive the best, equitable care.

"That does something to me. To know that I have been able to receive that great specialty care, and other people cannot. They deserve better," Traynham said.

Traynham said cancer patients can face many obstacles—from a lack of access in rural communities, issues with insurance covering treatment costs, and racial and socioeconomic disparities in cancer mortality rates.

Traynham said education is essential.

"A lot of the time it’s just a lack of knowledge. so people may not know about it, but then when you do know about it, stand behind this billto support you being able to receive the specialty care that you are entitled to and deserve as a patient," Traynham said.

Although the resolution doesn’t create or change any laws, Illinois State Representative Marcus Evans said it’s a step forward.

"We want to start with this resolution. I want to bring stakeholders in, want to bring in insurance companies, hospitals, want to bring in advocacy groups. and make sure we’re clear on what cancer patients need the most," Evans said.

Evans, a cancer survivor himself, said later cancer treatment options make up the bulk of expenses for cancer patients. He said by catching cancer early, some of the costs to patients may be alleviated.

"Because remember it’s not just about curing cancer, it’s about discovering cancer. Some people are just finding out too late. So we want you to find out in Stage 1 and not Stage 4. We want folks talking about it, we want healthcare to be top of mind—so everything we do is multi-tiered," Evans said.

The resolution states that Illinois residents deserve access to the best cancer care, including new or specialized treatments, as well as the right to information to fully understand their diagnosis and their options.

If the resolution passes, Illinois will become the second state after California to pass a cancer patient bill of rights. Organizations like City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations, work to make sure cancer care treatment is accessible. That includes a 24-hour support line through which counsel is provided to people facing cancer diagnoses.