OVAC URGES THE HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT FUNDING
INCREASES TO CANCER RESEARCH AND PROGRAM FUNDING!
BACKGROUND
On the heels of approving the first cuts to NIH and NCI since 1970 in FY 2006, the
President has proposed even deeper cuts to NCI in FY 2007. As a result, the total number of
NIH-funded research project grants would drop by 642, or 2 percent, below last year's level.
The President's budget would cut funding for 18 of the 19 institutes all, except the National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Funding for the National Cancer Institute would be
cut by $40 million.
In addition to these cuts in medical research, the President's budget also proposes deep
reductions at CDC for chronic disease prevention, quality of life programs, and health
promotion. Specifically, the proposal cuts nearly $20 million from chronic disease programs,
which include cancer control, prevention, and survivorship. In fact, under the President's
proposal, the CDC Cancer programs, which are already severely under-funded, would be cut by
more the $3 million.
This week, the House Budget Committee is scheduled to work on the House Budget
Resolution, which sets the overall funding allocations for all federal spending. While the Senate
Budget Resolution added in substantial additional funding specifically for NIH and other cancer
related programs, the House Budget resolution is rumored to be far less generous than even the
President's budget. The House Budget Resolution is likely to CUT funding for medical research
and public health programs. While this is very serious situation, there is a glimmer of hope.
Sometime THIS WEEK and possibly as soon as Wednesday, March 28, the House Budget
Committee will consider the DeLauro amendment to increase funding for all health and
education programs by $7 billion. Thanks in part of tremendous grassroots activity, the Senate
overwhelmingly passed a similar amendment on March 16, 2006.
We simply cannot rely on the Appropriations Committee to fund programs at appropriate
levels if they do not have the authority to spend the money. As we saw last year, the
Appropriations Committee can only spend as much money as they are allocated. That starts with
the Congressional Budget Resolution, which sets the spending caps for the year by "Functions."
For health care, including medical research and public health programs, the critical Function is
"550." The bottom line is simple -- if the Budget Resolution CUTS Function 550, the
Appropriations bill MUST CUT medical research and public health programs.
The DeLauro amendment restores health and education funding to the same levels they
were at just two years ago. That's right, in just two short years, funding for these critical
programs have been cut by $7 billion. If we don't reverse the trend this year, it will only get
worse in the future.
The President himself has said, "in order to win the war against cancer we must fund the
war against cancer," and in proclaiming National Cancer Control month last April said,
"aggressive funding will lead scientists to earlier diagnoses and improved treatments for lung,
colorectal and other cancers." The budget he has proposed is far from adequate to fulfill this
pledge for "aggressive funding." Additionally, 92 Senators and 280 Representatives signed a
letter to the President in support of providing the resources necessary to end suffering and death
from cancer by 2015.
The President and Members of Congress can't have it both ways -- if they support cancer
research and public health programs and are serious about their commitment to end suffering and
death from cancer, they must support a Congressional Budget Resolution that increases Function
550 funding over last year's level. If they support a Budget Resolution that cuts Function 550,
that means they support cutting cancer research, public health programs at CDC and quality of
life for all Americans who are living with cancer.
ACTION NEEDED
Everyone can take part in the effort to make the House act in favor of supporting cancer
programs in the Budget Resolution. There are two different strategies that volunteers can use to
make their voices heard.
Message A:
If your Representative sits on the House Budget Committee (see below) we need you to speak
for the millions of Americans living with and beyond cancer by calling your Representatives
TODAY and telling them to SUPPORT the DeLauro amendment. It is very important to get
calls in to Budget Committee members before they meet on Wednesday March 19!
Tell your legislators:
When the Budget Resolution is considered in the House Budget Committee this week,
ask them to oppose the President's proposed cuts to medical research and public health and stand
with you, their constituent, in support of our efforts to increase funding for cancer research and
programs. Request that they vote FOR the DeLauro amendment to increase funding for health
and education by $7 billion, which only restores funding for these programs to the FY 2005
levels.
· Please call 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative.
· Once connected to the office, ask to speak with the legislative assistant that handles
health care.
· Share with them the information above and share why these programs (cancer research
and programs) are important to you, their constituent.
· Ask for a commitment from them to support the DeLauro amendment and any/every
effort to increase funding for Function 550 and cancer research and programs.
· Make it clear that there is no excuse, rationale, or explanation to justify voting against
their constituents and approximately 1.5 million Americans who will be diagnosed with
cancer this year and the nearly 10 million Americans living with and beyond cancer.
· Finally, let them know you will be following the budget process closely and ask them to
keep you up to date on what actions they take.
House Budget Committee Members
Jim Nussle (R-IA) - Chair
Jo Bonner (R-AL)
John Campbell (R-CA)
Dan Lungren (R-CA)
Ander Crenshaw (R-FL)
Adam Putnam (R-FL)
Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
Connie Mack, IV (R-FL)
Mike Simpson (R-ID)
Chris Chocola (R-IN)
Jim Ryun (R-KS)
Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI)
Kenny Hulshof (R-MO)
Patrick McHenry (R-NC)
Jeb Bradley (R-NH)
Scott Garrett (R-NJ)
J. Gresham Barrett (R-SC)
Mike Conaway (R-TX)
Pete Sessions (R-TX)
Jeb Hensarling (R-TX)
Paul Ryan (R-WI)
John Spratt (D-SC) Ranking Minority Member
Artur Davis (D-AL)
Lois Capps (D-CA)
Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
Cynthia McKinney (D-GA)
Ed Case (D-HI)
Dennis Moore (D-KS)
William Jefferson (D-LA)
Richard Neal (D-MA)
Thomas Allen (D-ME)
Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Allyson Schwartz (D-PA)
Jim Cooper (D-TN)
Harold Ford (D-TN)
Henry Cuellar (D-TX)
Chet Edwards (D-TX)
Brian Baird (D-WA)
Ron Kind (D-WI)
Message B:
All Members of the Congress should hear the message that funding for cancer research and
programs is a priority among Americans. Call you Representative TODAY and tell them that
any budget that does not increase funding for cancer programs is unacceptable.
· Please call 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative.
· Once connected to the office, ask to speak with the legislative assistant that handles
health care.
· Share with them the information above and share why these programs (cancer research
and programs) are important to you, their constituent.
· If your Representative is on the Budget Committee, ask for a commitment from them to
support the DeLauro Amendment.
· If your Representative is NOT on the House Budget Committee, ask them to contact
Chairman Nussle (if you are represented by a Republican) or Ranking Member Spratt (if
you are represented by a Democrat) to urge the Committee to pass this critical
amendment.
· Make it clear that there is no excuse, rationale, or explanation to justify voting against
their constituents and approximately 1.5 million Americans who will be diagnosed with
cancer this year and the nearly 10 million Americans living with and beyond cancer.
· Finally, let them know you will be following the budget process closely and ask them to
keep you up to date on what actions they take.