WASHINGTON – September 29, 2011 – The House Appropriations Committee today released a draft FY 2012 health funding bill that includes a $1 billion increase in research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The proposal also eliminates funding for implementation of the Affordable Care Act, rescinds $1 billion from the Prevention and Public Health Fund and cuts $52 million cut to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs. Following is a statement from Christopher W. Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN):
“Congress heard the message delivered by cancer patients and survivors this week on the need for continued federal support of cancer research and we are very pleased that the House Appropriations Committee has included the $1 billion requested increase for NIH. Cancer research has always been a bipartisan priority and today’s action demonstrates that it will continue to be one.
“NIH research is conducted by 325,000 scientists working at more than 3,000 institutions nationwide. Sustained funding for cancer research is critical to achieving breakthroughs and discoveries of new screening tools and treatments for the deadliest cancers. NIH investment in 2010 led to the creation of 484,939 jobs and enabled 15 states to experience job growth of 10,000 jobs or more. We applaud the increased funding proposed by the Committee, which could result in 450 new, critical research projects across the country.
“However, we are concerned about the Committee’s proposed cuts in funding to implement the critical patient protections that were enacted in the Affordable Care Act. This recommendation jeopardizes the promise of access to adequate and affordable coverage to 12 million cancer survivors, in addition to cancer patients and those at risk of the disease.
We know that 50 percent of cancer deaths could be prevented and billions of dollars could be saved by applying what we already know about cancer prevention. Accordingly, we are disappointed that the committee has proposed to rescind funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund and cut funding to CDC programs. These cuts would reduce access to lifesaving cancer screenings and hinder our efforts to reduce tobacco use and combat obesity, known causes of cancer deaths.
“Cancer will touch 1 out of 2 men and 1 out of 3 women in their lifetimes, and we must fight this disease on every front. We commend lawmakers for their commitment to cancer research, and urge them to make access to care and proven prevention a higher priority as the budget moves forward.”
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 www.fightcancer.org.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Trista Hargrove or Steven Weiss
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Phone: (202) 585-3221 or (202) 661-5711
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
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