Letter: Bill supports biomarker testing
This letter originally ran in the Lincoln Journal Star.
News
ACS CAN President Attends WH Summit on Health Care Reform
March 6, 2009
I had the distinct privilege today of attending the White House Summit on Health Care Reform. President Obama made it clear at the Summit that the White House is intent on fixing the broken health care system, calling it a "moral imperative." He also made it clear that he is committed to reform happening this year, and he reiterated the pledge he made during his address to Congress last week to defeat cancer in our lifetime. Approximately 120 people from the Administration, both sides of the aisle in Congress (including key committee chairmen and Speaker Pelosi), health care providers, unions, business, and patient advocacy groups attended. The diversity of viewpoints represented today illustrated the strong commitment of Congressional leaders and organizations representing various parts of the health care system to comprehensive health care reform. I participated in a panel discussion about health care coverage and costs, and spoke about the need for an increased emphasis on disease prevention and adequacy of care. Elevating the importance of prevention and ensuring access to quality health care for all Americans are critical components to any effort to fix the broken health care system. I also spoke about the critical importance of strong tobacco control policies, including increased tobacco taxes, in our efforts to improve public health. The significance of ACS CAN’s inclusion in today’s Summit cannot be overstated. Our voice – the voice of cancer patients and survivors across the country – was heard among the voices of lawmakers and stakeholders that will play a major role in shaping health care reform. Today’s Summit firmly established ACS CAN’s seat at the table, perhaps more than any event we’ve participated in up to this point. Today was a very positive step forward in the health care reform effort, but we should keep in mind that we still have a lot of work ahead of us. The debate in many ways is still in its beginning stages, and the road to reform will undoubtedly get rougher from here. But thanks to the hard work of Society and ACS CAN staff and volunteers, the voice of the cancer community will be heard.