Public Policy Resources

ACS CAN and more than 150 organizations representing patients, providers and health equity advocates sent a letter to Congress urging them to pass the Diversifying Investigations Via Equitable Research Studies for Everyone (DIVERSE) Trials Act into law to remove barriers to clinical trial enrollment.

President Joe Biden has called for the creation of an Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health

In response to a request for information related to the 21st Century Cures 2.0 initiative, ACS CAN provided comments regarding the creation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). 

Disparities have been described in various domains of cancer research, each issue exists separately and has a different relationship to understanding and addressing disparities in clinical outcomes. The various domains of research disparities are explored in Cancer Research and Disparities: Understanding and Addressing the Issues. 

ACS CAN submitted comments to the National Institute of Health Request for Information: Inviting Comments and Suggestions to Advance and Strengthen Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Biomedical Research Workforce and Advance Health Disparities and Health Equity Research

ACS CAN submitted comments to Medicare Administrative Contractors proposing coverage for minimal residual disease testing for cancer. 

Precision medicine in cancer involves targeted therapies which work by interfering with specific cellular processes involved in the growth, spread, and progression of cancer. Treatment with targeted therapy often requires diagnostic testing to identify specific cancer biomarkers. Testing patients for biomarkers is integral to precision medicine in cancer care.

Every five years the FDA drug user fees are reauthorized, offering an opportunity to influence priorities.  ACS CAN is recommending an increased focus on patient representation in regulatory decision making, guidance to drive increased use of decentralized trials, and a scientific focus on dispar

Advances in precision medicine have led to targeted cancer therapies that have improved patient outcomes and quality of life within populations of cancer patients with very specific biomarkers. Testing patients for cancer biomarkers is integral to identify those who may benefit from targeted therapy. Despite the importance of such testing, many cancer patients are not tested for biomarkers. This fact sheet highlights recent advancements in targeted cancer therapies and data from ACS CAN Survivor Views surveys of cancer patients and survivors assessing barriers to biomarker testing.