What does the stimulus package mean in the fight against cancer?

The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (or the stimulus package) makes steps to support cancer research and health care funding.

The key parts of the bill affecting these issues include:

·          $10 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

·          This increase in funding for the NIH will provide more research for fighting cancer and provide jobs for researchers across the country.  

·          Approximately $1.2 billion will go directly to the National Cancer Institute

·          $1 billion for the funding of prevention and wellness, $600 million of which must be used towards chronic and infectious disease, health disparities and preventable disabilities

·          Increased funding for Medicaid programs that help keep American insured

·          $19 billion for new funding for health information technology development

To help put this in perspective, ACS's largest fundraiser, Relay For Life, has dedicated $3.2 billion towards the fight against cancer over the past 25 years.  Through this legislation, the government has dedicated $10 billion.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has supported these health related initiatives and continues to work throughout the country and Southern Missouri to make it known that we care about cancer. Through grassroots efforts, ACS CAN works to change laws to fight cancer, hold lawmakers accountable and educate people like you about cancer issues in the government!

If you want to get involved with ACS CAN, contact Katie Towns, the Regional Director of Government Relations, at katie.towns@cancer.org or visit www.acscan.org.

'Together, we CAN make our voices heard. Together, we CAN defeat cancer.'