Letter: Bill supports biomarker testing
This letter originally ran in the Lincoln Journal Star.
News
Comments on the President's Address
February 25, 2009
In his speech before Congress last night, President Obama could not have been more explicit in making health care a top priority for his administration. He led by reviewing the newly enacted health care provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
"Our recovery plan...will launch a new effort to conquer a disease that has touched the life of nearly every American by seeking a cure for cancer in our time. And it makes the largest investment ever in preventive care, because that is one of the best ways to keep our people healthy and our costs under control" the President said.
In outlining his priorities, the President identified energy, education and health care reform as his signature issues, and said that "health care reform cannot wait, must not wait, and will not wait another year." He said that his budget, the outlines of which will be revealed tomorrow, "builds on" the effort to provide "quality, affordable health care for all Americans."
Throughout the speech, the President framed his ambitious agenda as a key to the national economic recovery, and he enumerated past national accomplishments like GI Bill, the Apollo program and the Interstate highway program that were borne out of past national crises.
For cancer volunteers, the President's speech is a refreshing reassurance that his administration intends to take action against cancer and for health care reform. It was a welcome effort.
Editor's note: Dick Woodruff is the Senior Federal Director for ACS CAN
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