Advocate’s Corner: April 2024

OCRA’s Advocate Leader committees gathered last week to strategize and mobilize for impactful change. Each committee aims to make strides in specific areas of focus.

Urgent: 4/29 Deadline: Time is running out to urge your Representatives to increase federal funding for ovarian cancer research. Complete our alert to send this important message to Congress.

• Education & Awareness Committee: Knowledge is power. This committee is dedicated to spreading awareness and empowering communities with vital information about ovarian and other gynecologic cancers, to increase early detection rates and improve outcomes for patients.
• Clinical Trials Committee: Innovation is key to advancing treatment options. By facilitating access to clinical trials and advocating for diverse representation, this committee is driving progress in the fight against ovarian cancer.
• Cost of Care & Treatment Committee: The financial burden of cancer can be overwhelming for patients and their families. This committee is advocating for policies that ensure equitable access to affordable care and support services, alleviating the financial strain on those affected by this disease.
• Health Disparities Committee: Disparities in healthcare access and outcomes persist, disproportionately affecting underserved communities. This committee is addressing inequities and advocating for policies that promote equitable access to quality care for all individuals impacted by ovarian cancer.
• Precision Medicine Committee: Every patient is unique, and precision medicine holds immense promise in tailoring treatment approaches to individual needs. By advocating for advancements in precision medicine research and access to personalized therapies, this committee is fueling progress toward more effective treatments for more patients.

Our committees will continue to convene throughout the year to tackle specific challenges and opportunities in our fight against ovarian and related gynecologic cancers. 

Other legislative activities that have been ongoing include efforts toward the earlier detection of cancer.  Over the last few years, OCRA has worked with patient advocacy groups to provide a coverage pathway for Multi-Cancer Early Detection tests when they are approved by the FDA. Because of these efforts, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R 2407 / S. 2085) has garnered a level of support throughout Congress that we rarely see, with a majority of the Senate signed onto the bill and an incredible 263 bipartisan cosponsors in the House. Rep. Sewell (D-AL) and Rep. Arrington (R-TX), who are leading the charge in the House, recently sent a letter expressing gratitude for the collaborative efforts of stakeholders and a promise to continue to fight for passage on Capitol Hill. 

Finally, we continue to press for expanded federal resources for gynecologic cancer as fiscal year 2025 budget negotiations ramp up. These discussions are crucial as federal funding plays a vital role in supporting research, education, access to care, and other initiatives aimed at combating ovarian cancer. We remain steadfast in our efforts to ensure that ovarian cancer remains a priority in federal budget allocations, including a call to increase the Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) funding by $5 million. Take action now to add your voice to this fight.

Together we can make a difference,

Chad Ramsey, Vice President, Policy