Spring is here—and so is appropriations season in Washington, DC. This month has brought key developments in both the FY26 federal budget process and state-level policy action that could impact gynecologic cancer research, prevention, and patient care. Here’s what advocates need to know:
Draft Budget Proposal Would Eliminate Key CDC Cancer Programs
A draft of the administration’s FY26 budget proposal raised concerns with a recommendation to eliminate funding for the CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. While this is just a draft proposal—and Congress ultimately decides what gets funded—it signals a troubling direction for cancer prevention and awareness efforts.
This division supports critical programs like the Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative (OCCI) and Johanna’s Law, which provide education and outreach to help women recognize the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and promote early detection. Without these investments, national awareness campaigns and community-level efforts could be significantly scaled back.
Fortunately, this proposal is not the final word. Congress will now take the lead in shaping the FY26 budget—and advocates like you play a key role in helping lawmakers understand the value of these programs. Stay tuned for upcoming action alerts on this.
ACTION ALERT: Help Us Hit 100+ House Signers for the OCRP!
Right now, Members of Congress are signing on to a Dear Colleague letter supporting $45 million in FY26 funding for the Ovarian Cancer Research Program at the DoD. This program is one of the few dedicated federal research streams focused exclusively on ovarian cancer—and recently endured a significant funding cut as part of legislation to avert a government shutdown. We are working to restore the OCRP’s funding as soon as possible.
Take 2 minutes to email your U.S. Representative and ask them to sign the letter.
The more bipartisan support we show, the better our chances of restoring and protecting this funding during the months of budget negotiations ahead.
Spotlight on Research: Senate Hearing Set for April 30
Mark your calendars: The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on biomedical research funding on April 30. OCRA Advocate Leaders are submitting written testimony for the hearing.
OCRA will be watching closely for:
- Discussion of funding levels for NCI and OCRP
- Any reference to ovarian or other gynecologic cancer research
- Insights into the administration’s vision for a reorganized public health structure
We’ll share highlights and a recap following the hearing—stay tuned.
State Action: Progress Across the Map
Several states are pushing forward legislation that could benefit ovarian cancer patients and survivors:
- New Jersey passed legislation to expand insurance coverage for biomarker testing, a major victory for personalized medicine and early detection! 21 states have now passed similar legislation.
- Massachusetts is holding a hearing on a bill to expand access to biomarker testing on April 30, and several OCRA Advocate Leaders are preparing testimony to help earn passage.
- North Dakota passed a law limiting the use of copay accumulator programs, ensuring that financial assistance provided by manufacturers counts toward a patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximums. The bill awaits Governor Armstrong’s signature.
OCRA is tracking these bills and working with local advocates to ensure gynecologic cancer voices are heard in every statehouse.
Advocate’s Take
OCRA’s Advocate Leaders continue to be a vital force in shaping policy—thank you for showing up, speaking out, and lifting the stories that move legislation forward. We’ll be back in May with updates from Capitol Hill and beyond.
Thank you for standing with us,
Chad Ramsey, Vice President, Policy, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
