Advocate’s Corner: July 2024

Last month, we updated you on recent reports indicating that the House Committee on Appropriations was considering significant cuts to health-related programs, sparking concerns that these potential cuts could impair the efforts that OCRA and our advocates have fought for over the years. 

Since then, the House Committee report for Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education has been released, with much better news than was expected. 

Notably, there is an increase in funding for our key programs at the CDC:

• Cancer Prevention and Control Activities: The report includes a substantial increase of $7 million for CDC’s cancer prevention and control activities. This boosts the total funding to $417,049,000.
• Breast and Cervical Cancer Programs: Within this funding increase, the committee has allocated an additional $2 million specifically for breast and cervical cancer programs. This enhancement will support critical initiatives, including efforts in breast and cervical cancer awareness.
• Ovarian Cancer Programs: There is also a $500,000 increase for the Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative which seeks to identify ovarian cancer earlier and improve treatment options to enhance survivorship.
• Johanna’s Law: Additionally, Johanna’s Law, which focuses on increasing awareness and screening for all gynecologic cancers, receives a $500,000 boost.

These increases in funding are more favorable for our programs than we originally expected but the work is far from over. The full House still has to vote on the health appropriations bill and the Senate has only just begun working on their own version. But we remain committed to advocating for the necessary resources to ensure comprehensive support for all critical cancer initiatives. 

Along with the ongoing efforts to increase federal funding, we also continue to push for important legislation that will impact our community:

Clinical Trial Modernization Act 

This bill is a crucial legislative priority aimed at improving clinical trials by removing barriers to participation, particularly for underrepresented populations. The bill seeks to remove financial barriers to participation in and access to clinical trials by reimbursing some travel and lodging costs that patients may incur. It would also allow trial sponsors to furnish participants with electronic health monitoring devices to reduce travel and improve reporting.

Take action. Tell Congress to support the Clinical Trial Modernization Act to address inequities and help more patients access clinical trials.

Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act

There has been a swing of momentum for the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, which was approved 38-0 by the House Ways & Means Committee earlier this month. This bill aims to expand Medicare coverage for multi-cancer early detection screening tests, which are crucial for identifying cancer signals earlier, especially in the case of ovarian cancer which is often diagnosed in later stages.

We need your voice. Urge Congress to pass the Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act and ensure that our most vulnerable populations have access to lifesaving diagnostic technology. 

Thank you for your dedication and advocacy, and for your continued engagement and action around these important funding and legislative priorities. Together, we can make an impact! 

Chad Ramsey, Vice President, Policy