Executive Actions Impacting the Health and Research Infrastructure Threaten National Security and the Fight Against Cancer

Yesterday, the administration released an executive order to significantly reduce the federal workforce. Together with other executive actions to date, cancer research and innovation are at risk.  

The following is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) reacting to these developments:

“ACS CAN has grave concerns about recent executive actions aimed at reducing the federal workforce and restricting research activities, due to the indisputable impact on the fight against cancer. Health is a national security issue, and our nation’s health infrastructure must be protected, so that we continue to achieve breakthroughs to increase prevention and reduce death and suffering for people diagnosed with cancer. If these changes are implemented, cancer patients stand to lose access to innovative treatments and clinical trials, and the United States will lose its global competitive edge in biomedical research. ACS CAN calls on the administration to consider the drastic consequences these actions can have on cancer patients, survivors and people at risk of developing the disease, and to stand up and protect the programs and services that have made the United States a global leader in cancer research, helping to lead to 18 million cancer survivors living in the U.S. today.”