Advocate’s Corner: August 2024
Last month, we updated you on the U.S. House of Representatives’ progress on FY2025 appropriations bills, which mostly held good news for programs related to ovarian cancer funding. Those programs all either maintained their current funding level or received small increases. The Senate also took action, but so far, none of the 12 appropriations bills have reached the floor for a Senate vote.
Although current funding for 2024 is set to expire on September 30, 2024, both the House and Senate are in recess for August, and won’t reconvene until September 9. This period of time between recess and the new Congress being sworn in is known as the Lame Duck session. It happens every two years, and a lot can happen during this brief window.
For us, it means that Congress will need to take swift action in those two weeks, to either complete the FY2025 appropriations process (which is unlikely) or agree to a short-term resolution that will maintain current funding levels until after the elections in November (this is more probable).
Though there are many unknowns, we do know that a package of bills are likely to be passed after the elections, and before the new Congress is sworn in next year. Four years ago, the 116th Congress passed more than 40% of their bills during the Lame Duck session — so it’s important to be ready.
OCRA is gearing up for a critical end-of-year push for our key legislative initiatives:
- Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (S.2085/H.R.2407)
- Clinical Trial Modernization Act (H.R.8412)
- Johanna’s Law Reauthorization Act (H.R.5834)
- Reducing Hereditary Cancer Act (S.765/H.R.1526)
We will update you as soon as there are opportunities to take action. Thanks for your vigilance and effort!
OCRA’s Advocate Leaders Program for 2025 Opens Soon
As the election approaches, the importance of advocacy cannot be overstated. OCRA’s Advocate Leaders program is a beacon of hope and action, not only at the forefront of raising awareness, but actively shaping the future of ovarian and related gynecologic cancer research, education, and policy.
Since its inception in 2013, OCRA has trained over 1,800 advocates across the nation who have forged vital relationships with elected officials and championed critical causes at the national, state, and local levels — and you can apply to join them.
The application process for the 2025 Advocate Leaders cohort opens in September, and we would love for you to apply. If you are passionate about making a difference, and especially if you live in one of the following states where we currently lack representation—Oregon, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Hawaii—this is your chance to step up and join us in the fight against ovarian cancer. OCRA will provide you with the tools and support to make your voice heard.
Follow us on social media @ocrahope, sign up for email alerts, and watch your inbox to be alerted when the application period opens.
Join us and together we can make a difference,
Chad Ramsey, Vice President, Policy, OCRA