WASHINGTON, D.C. -- March 10, 2009 -- “The Senate tonight continued to build momentum in a renewed war on cancer, approving a spending bill that includes a nearly $1 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the current year. This proposed 3.2 percent budget increase would keep up with the growing annual cost of research for the first time in six years and the bill now goes to the President’s desk for his signature.
“The vote follows on the heels of President Obama’s address to Congress in recent weeks, where he declared an effort to conquer cancer and then promptly released a budget that included funding to begin a multi-year doubling of federal funding for cancer research. All of these actions build on a stimulus package that includes a $10 billion increase for NIH, with $1.26 billion designated specifically for cancer research. While the one-time injection is critical to the creation of job opportunities and new opportunities for scientific breakthroughs, a long-term commitment to consistent funding each year is necessary to make sure progress keeps apace.
“We applaud lawmakers from both political parties for their work on the spending bill, and specifically want to thank longtime champions Sens. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) for their commitment and dedication to ensure there is adequate funding to fight cancer in this country.
“Research is a critical component of a broader comprehensive approach to fighting a disease that will be newly diagnosed in more than 1.4 million Americans this year. Millions of Americans touched by cancer are counting on legislators to continue this commitment throughout the budget process and make these proposed increases for critical medical research a reality.
“Additionally, the inclusion of $25 million to expand a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program that provides colorectal cancer screenings for those who might otherwise be unable to afford them is a critical down payment on prevention as part of broader health care reform. As the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States, screening tests can detect colon cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage or even prevent it. The funding provided by this legislation would help remove this barrier to access these lifesaving tests.
“While the infusion of funds for colorectal cancer is a welcome addition, several other critical cancer programs at the CDC have seen consistent cuts in recent years. The cancer community is hopeful that elected officials will broaden their commitment to prevention in future budget negotiations, as the need continues to increase during these difficult economic times.
“The cancer community encourages the President to sign the FY09 spending bill that has the potential to truly impact the fight against a disease that will kill more than 565,000 Americans this year alone.”
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit https://www.fightcancer.org/.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Alissa Havens
Phone: (202) 661-5772
Email: [email protected]
Christina Saull
Phone: (202) 585-3250
Email: [email protected]
