House Passes Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act (HR 2866) on September 23rd. The legislation, which passed the Senate on August 5th, now goes to the White House where President Obama is expected to sign it.

Current rules regarding eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) prevent many people with rare diseases who receive SSI from participating in clinical trials. The inability of SSI beneficiaries to accept research compensation for participation in a clinical trial has been shown to be a significant deterrence to research participation.

S 1674/HR 2866 changes the eligibility requirements for SSI and Medicaid so that compensation of up to $2,000 for participating in clinical trials won't be considered income in SSI and Medicaid determinations. Passage of S 1674/HR 2866 shows the importance of participating in the legislative process by contacting your Congressional Members. Visit the IMF Legislative Action Center at www.advocacy.myeloma.org to send a thank you letter to your Congressional Members for passing this important legislation.

Congress Passes Continuing Resolution Before Leaving Town for Mid-Term Elections
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate will pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) that would allow the federal government to continue functioning, largely at current spending levels, until lawmakers rejoin the battle over fiscal year (FY) 2011 appropriations after the November elections. The CR runs through December 3rd and is a "clean" resolution, meaning no extras (i.e. amendments or other funding add-ons), to ensure passage in both Chambers. Congress has not cleared any of its 12 regular spending bills for the budget year that starts October 1st. Congress is expected to continue debate on FY 2011 appropriations when they return on November 15th.

Are You a Member of the Myeloma Action Network?
Want to stay informed about IMF's advocacy activities? All you need to do is to join the Myeloma Action Network at www.advocacy.myeloma.org and you will automatically receive e-mail advocacy alerts from the IMF. To learn more about health care reform and other important advocacy issues that impact the myeloma community, please visit the IMF advocacy page at www.myeloma.org.

For more information about the legislation listed above or any other IMF advocacy initiative, contact IMF's Director of Government Relations, Christine Murphy at cmurphy@myeloma.org or 703-738-1498.