The ACS supports legislation that seeks to improve the survival and quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. The ACS Cancer Programs and Commission on Cancer (CoC) strongly encourage members of Congress to maintain a bipartisan commitment to cancer legislation with the overall goal of improving cancer care.
Congressional Efforts
Appropriations
The ACS Cancer Programs have been strong advocates in the fight against cancer and securing additional cancer research and prevention funding. Past congressional support for federally funded cancer research has been the foundation for progress made in the battle against this disease. The ACS and the CoC strongly support the goal of maintaining and enhancing funding of these programs in order to build upon the momentum gained throughout the last few years.
As a member of One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC), a broad coalition of cancer-related organizations working to make funding for cancer research and prevention programs a top priority, the ACS and CoC support the following funding recommendations:
National Institutes of Health (NIH): $50.924 billion (currently $47.454 billion), including $9.988 billion for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and at least $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Cancer Prevention and Control Programs: $472.4 million (currently $409.6 million), including $32 million for the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and $63.4 million for the National Program of Cancer Registries
Coalition Letter in Support of NIH Funding (3/13/23)
Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the ACS Commission on Cancer
2022 marked the 100th anniversary of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancer (CoC), a consortium of more than 50 cancer-related organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard setting, which promotes cancer prevention, research, education, and monitoring of comprehensive quality care. Today, there are more than 1,500 CoC-accredited cancer programs in the United States and Puerto Rico, which care for approximately 70% of newly diagnosed cancer patients. CoC accreditation encourages hospitals, treatment centers, and other facilities to improve their quality of care through various cancer-related programs and activities. These programs are concerned with the full continuum of cancer—from prevention to survivorship and end-of-life-care—while addressing both survival and quality of life.
Last year, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the CoC, lawmakers introduced S.Res. 566/H.Res. 997, Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and the importance of Commission on Cancer-accredited programs in ensuring comprehensive, high-quality, patient-centered cancer care. The resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by the Co-Chairs of the House Cancer Caucus: Representatives Brian Higgins (D-NY-26), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1), Derek Kilmer (D-WA-6), and Mike Kelly (R-PA-16). S.Res. 566 was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Roger Marshall (R-KS). The resolution is a testament to the laudable work of the CoC, and ACS looks forward to continuing to work with Congress to advance cancer research, prevention, education, and treatment.
ACS Letter in support of S. Res. 566, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the CoC (May 2, 2022)
ACS Letter in support of H. Res. 997, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the CoC (May 2, 2022)
