Federal Advocacy

Advocating at the Federal Level

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance® takes a stand on issues of importance to cancer survivors, advocates, and others involved in the movement.
 
Despite impressive advancements in the early detection and treatment of cancer, the disease still costs the U.S. $228 billion each year in medical costs and lost productivity.  Each year, cancer still claims more that half a million lives and inflicts incalculable physical pain and emotional distress on cancer patients and their families.

Key Issues

Until we find and deliver the cures, we will continue working with Congress on these key issues:

Research
To find a cure for breast cancer, we must increase the Nation's committment to science and research.  The Komen Advocacy Alliance, in collaboration with many other cancer organizations, has called for Congress to increase the nation's investment in science and research and support programs and legislations such as:

• The 21st Century Cancer Alert Act
• Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program
• Breast Cancer Research Stamp
• National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities

Early Detection
At this time, there is no known cure for breast cancer.  But helping women access early detection through affordable, high-quality mammography is essential to surviving the disease.  The Komen Advocacy Alliance supports continued access to affordable mammography for women beginning at age 40.


Access to High-Quality Care
Breast cancer knows no bounds, so why should access to quality care be limited?  The Komen Advocacy Alliance works with policy makers to ensure patient access to high-quality care for all patients, not just those who can afford it.  We support increased funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program,  In its 20th year, this program provides crucial education and screening to the uninsured.

Komen advocates worked tirelessly to impact the patient protection provisions contained in the recently passed health care reform bill:

• Ending insurance discrimination based on pre-existing conditions.
• Limiting out-of-pocket medical costs by eliminating annual and lifetime caps on benefits.
• Ensuring breast cancer screening is widely available, beginning at age 40.
• Reauthorizing and improving the patient navigation program to help underserved women make the most effective use of health care services.
• Removing barriers to participation in clinical trials.
• Educating women, including young women, about the importance of breast self-awareness and understanding their risk factors for breast cancer.
• Read more about the Komen Advocacy Alliance and our positions on key issues.

Komen Lobby Day 2010

Each year, a delegation from Komen Northeast Ohio travels to Washington, D.C. to join nearly hundreds of Komen for the Cure advocates from across the country to remind our nation's leaders of the importance of early detection and to challenge policy makers to invest in cancer research.  Key issues discussed with our members of Congress included:

• Ensure improved access to mammography for women age 40+
• Protect funding of the National Breast and Cervival Cancer Early Detection Program
• Invest in the next generation on screening technologies
• Deliver on the patient protection provisions promised in the health care reform bill