Congressman Stresses Importance of National Investment in Cancer Research
WASHINGTON, DC – Today Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) appeared before the House of Representatives Budget Committee and presented testimony urging Congress to increase funding for the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health.
The President’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2009 would provide no increase in funding for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health. This marks the fifth year of relatively flat funding for federal investments in cancer research. Due to the increasing cost of conducting biomedical research, this trend of stagnant funding constitutes an effective 12% cut in funding for the National Cancer Institute – or a $500 million decrease. NCI and NIH funding directly assists institutions in Western New York like Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the University at Buffalo, and the Hauptman Woodward Medical Research Institute, whose researchers and medical professionals spend their lives unlocking the secrets of cancer and its origins.
An American Cancer Society report released just last week showed an increase in cancer deaths in the United States.
Below are Congressman Higgins’ remarks as prepared for delivery:
Chairman Spratt, Ranking Member Ryan, distinguished members of the Committee, I come before you today to advocate for increased funding for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health.
The war on cancer is a non-partisan issue, and it should be treated that way. In 2005, when I signed a pledge to do everything in my power to eliminate cancer, I meant it.
The Administration’s decision to freeze funding at NIH and NCI in its proposed budget for fiscal year 2009 is wholly unacceptable and cuts the cancer community at its knees. If enacted, this would continue a disturbing trend of decreased funding over the last five years, where funding at NCI has effectively decreased by twelve percent. Because the war on cancer is too important for Congress to be complacent; I strongly urge this committee to provide for increased funding for cancer research in this year’s Budget resolution.
It is sad, but true that cancer is a disease that touches everyone in this country. Within almost every neighborhood and town, communities are rallying around family members, friends, and neighbors who have been diagnosed with cancer, helping in any way they can to help alleviate suffering.
The impact that cancer has on our society is astounding. In its latest report, the American Cancer Society found that new cases of cancer have increased, reversing a two year decline. This year, approximately 1.4 million people will be diagnosed with cancer and five hundred and sixty five thousand people will die from cancer. Ten million additional Americans continue to struggle with or are survivors of cancer. And the cost of cancer is staggering, estimated to be two hundred and nineteen billion dollars in 2007 alone.
It should be our duty as Members of Congress to improve the quality of care that Americans receive when they are diagnosed with cancer – this begins with increasing funding for vital research.
Cancer is truly an individualized disease, manifesting itself uniquely in every patient. Unlike in the past, where one-size-fits-all treatments were used for cancer patients, researchers and practitioners are exploiting discoveries stemming from the human genome project to begin to carefully tailor treatment to meet the specific make-up of each individual patient. These groundbreaking discoveries will fundamentally alter and improve how cancer care is delivered. It is in our country’s best interest to give researchers the resources to hit the ground running on these discoveries.
My district in Western New York directly benefits from NIH and NCI funding. Roswell Park Cancer Institute, one of the oldest cancer centers in the country, is a NCI designated comprehensive cancer center and receives funding from NCI for its major research activities. Other research institutions, like the University at Buffalo and the Hauptmann Woodward Medical Research Institute rely on federal funding to advance the science of fighting disease.
The results of this research will improve the standard of living for Americans living with cancer, and will prolong life after diagnosis. These research dollars also have a significant ripple affect on local economies, where research translates into treatments that can be developed and manufactured by local companies, providing highly skilled jobs for countless citizens. Our country has long been the cradle of innovation, a robust and growing federal investment in research can keep that reputation strong.
In conclusion, Congress should be leading the charge in the fight against cancer. I believe we are at the cusp of dramatic improvements in the quality of care. Congress should do everything in its power to make sure that these dramatic discoveries are transferred into results as soon as possible. This begins with rejecting the Administration’s flat-footed agenda and providing necessary increases in funding for cancer research initiatives at the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health. Thank you.