Cancer Coalition Urges Budget Completion; Long-term Continuing Resolution Devastating to Cancer Research and Research Application 9/16/2002
From: Unice Lieberman of One Voice Against Cancer, 202-661-5710; Unice.Lieberman@cancer.org WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC), a coalition of more than 40 public interest groups representing more than 20 million Americans impacted by cancer, today strongly urged the House Appropriations Committee to complete a Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (Labor-HHS) Appropriations bill rather than enact a long-term continuing resolution to fund the government, a move under consideration according to recent reports. "We firmly believe that such an approach would be a major step back for our nation's cancer research and application programs," OVAC members wrote in a letter to Committee Members. "Timely funding increases are essential to continue and build upon existing cancer research and application programs that ultimately improve the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer." The nation's investment in cancer research and prevention is as important as ever with increases needed for priority cancer-related programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Specifically, OVAC seeks the following funding levels in the FY 2003 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill: -- $27.3 billion for the NIH in FY2003. This will fulfill the commitment to double NIH funding by FY2003. -- $5.69 billion for the NCI, the amount the NCI Director is requesting in his Bypass Budget for a comprehensive effort to win the war against cancer. -- $199.6 million for the NIH Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities to enable the Center to fulfill its important mission, particularly as it concerns the disproportionate incidence, morbidity, and mortality that cancer has in racial and ethnic minority populations and the medically underserved. -- $348 million for cancer programs at the CDC that apply the important research done at NIH to those touched by cancer. CDC's Cancer Prevention and Control programs provide vital cancer education, outreach, prevention and screening efforts that have a positive impact on the lives of all Americans. NOTE: Letter follows. September 16, 2002 Dear Representative: One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC), a collaboration of more than 40 public interest groups representing more than 20 million Americans impacted by cancer, writes to ask for your continued commitment and leadership in mounting an aggressive war on cancer. In the midst of this very challenging fiscal environment we hope you recognize that the nation's investment in cancer research and prevention remains a critical national priority. We were pleased that the President included substantial increases for cancer research in his budget and completed the doubling of the National Institutes of Health's overall budget. We also appreciate the Senate Appropriations Committee's support and funding for vital cancer prevention, treatment and education programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention above the President's request. We hope that the House of Representatives will clearly endorse the commitment made by the President and the Senate as you determine funding levels for fiscal year 2003. We are aware of possible scenarios that would suspend action by the House of Representatives through a long-term continuing resolution. We firmly believe that such an approach would be a major step back for our nation's cancer research and application programs. Timely funding increases are essential to continue and build upon existing cancer research and applications programs that ultimately improve the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. OVAC strongly urges you to complete a Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill that includes the much-needed increases in funding for priority cancer-related programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Therefore, OVAC asks that Congress include the following funding levels in the FY 2003 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill (see attached summary for full details): -- $27.3 billion for the NIH in FY2003. This will fulfill the commitment to double NIH funding by FY2003. -- $5.69 billion for the NCI, the amount the NCI Director is requesting in his Bypass Budget for a comprehensive effort to capitalize on real scientific opportunities to advance our national effort to defeat cancer. -- $199.6 million for the NIH Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities to enable the Center to fulfill its important mission, particularly as it concerns the disproportionate incidence, morbidity, and mortality that cancer has in racial and ethnic minority populations and the medically underserved. -- $348 million for cancer programs at the CDC that apply the important research done at NIH to those touched by cancer. CDC's Cancer Prevention and Control programs provide vital cancer education, outreach, prevention and screening efforts that have a positive impact on the lives of all Americans. OVAC encourages you to take these vital steps to ensure that our nation will continue to progress and ultimately conquer cancer. Please contact any of the organizations listed below if we can be of assistance or provide additional information regarding our funding requests. We thank you for your continued commitment to defeat cancer. Sincerely, 100 Black Men of America American Academy of Dermatology Association American Association for Cancer Research American Cancer Society American Foundation for Urologic Disease American Society of Hematology American Urological Association Association of Community Cancer Centers Breast Cancer Resource Committee, Inc. Cancer Research Foundation of America Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation Colon Cancer Alliance Colorectal Cancer Network Eyes on the Prize Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America Intercultural Cancer Council Intercultural Cancer Council Caucus International Myeloma Foundation Kidney Cancer Association Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Men's Health Network National Alliance for Hispanic Health National Association of Social Workers National Childhood Cancer Foundation NCCR (National Coalition for Cancer Research) National Melanoma Foundation Oncology Nursing Society Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Society of Gynecologic Oncologists The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation United Ostomy Association, Inc. |