Oregon Voter Guide

Share

U.S. House - District CD-05

  • Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R)
  • Jamie McLeod-Skinner (D)
Back to State Race Listings

Select question

Reducing the Burden of Cancer

In 2022 more than 25,000 cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Oregon, and more than 8,000 Oregonians will die from cancer. Practically all of us have been impacted by cancer in some way in our lives. As a leader in Oregon, what do you think is your responsibility to reduce the burden of cancer in the community and how would you work to support cancer patients, survivors and their families if elected?

Lori Chavez-DeRemer

Yes

We need heightened awareness and education on preventative measures. We need to look for more new drugs and treatments for patients. Access to detection is a priority as well. We need to fully fund these programs to advance science and eventually find a cure for cancer.

Jamie McLeod-Skinner

Yes

I have lost a family member to cancer and know that a cancer diagnosis places an enormous burden on families. There are concrete steps I would advocate for in Congress. First, we must reform our healthcare system so families are not crushed by medical debt, and that includes providing a baseline level of quality, affordable care for all Americans, ensuring that the government can negotiate to reduce the cost of lifesaving prescription drugs, and closing insurer gaps. I would also advocate for the social supports that help people take care of their families, which are so critical in a time of crisis, such as affordable childcare.

Back to Top

Saving Lives through Cancer Research

Rarely has the importance of medical research been more apparent than during this ongoing pandemic. Increasing federal funding for medical research is critical to promoting further discovery. Will you vote for sustainable annual increases in cancer research funding for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute?

Lori Chavez-DeRemer

Yes

Yes, we need to make sure these programs are fully funded and take the measures needed to prevent and stop cancer.

Jamie McLeod-Skinner

Yes

Consistent investment at the federal level in research both maximizes past investments and creates a path for future areas of research. During the pandemic, we’ve seen the progress that can be made in biomedical research that has enormous benefits for the health of the general population with the federal government increasing its investments in research, education and outreach. I support the creation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health and would strongly advocate for regular increases in funding for cancer research and for policies that get research results to patients as quickly as possible.

Back to Top

Access to Health Care

Access to affordable, quality health care can determine whether you live or die from cancer. Will you support legislation to provide Americans access to affordable, quality health care that will ensure access to health insurance for everyone in the Medicaid coverage gap and ensure greater affordability of Affordable Care Act marketplace plans?

Lori Chavez-DeRemer

Yes

Yes I will support legislation on American access to affordable and quality health care. We have to continue down the road of more access, and more choices for the patient.

Jamie McLeod-Skinner

Yes

Nobody should have to choose between putting a roof over their head and providing their family with medical care. Too many families have faced bankruptcy rather than deny care to their loved one -- it’s a cruel choice to force upon them, especially with life-threatening illnesses. And those without access to health care are less likely to get lifesaving screenings that can detect cancer when it's treatable. As families struggle with inflation, we need to make healthcare more, not less, affordable. I support expanding healthcare affordability and accessibility, as well as protections to ensure that people don’t lose their healthcare during a pandemic of economic crisis. I support passing legislation to develop a healthcare system that covers the basic health needs of all Americans, including those in the 12 states that did not expand Medicaid coverage.

Back to Top

Equity in Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are key to advancing new standards of care that can improve survival and quality of life for people with cancer, but to be successful, trials must have adequate participation, including diverse participation from currently underrepresented groups. Will you support legislation to ensure more patients — regardless of their race, ethnicity, economic means or their geographic location — have a chance to enroll in clinical trials?

Lori Chavez-DeRemer

Yes

Absolutely. We have to give patients opportunity to enroll in clinical trials.

Jamie McLeod-Skinner

Yes

This is critically important because we know that different demographic factors may influence the impact of treatments, and we therefore cannot provide optimal care with the best possible results unless we have conducted adequate research on a sufficient pool of patients to understand the impact of different standards of care. With a serious health issue like a cancer diagnosis, no one should be at a disadvantage because of how much money they make, where they live, their gender, ethnicity, or potential influencing factors from their background. I would support legislation like the Diverse Trials Act, which would require increased diversity in clinical trials.

Back to Top