Recognizing that cancer patients have the right to receive care that ensures effective prevention, early diagnosis, improved outcomes, optimal patient rehabilitation, and affordable health care.

Bill: 118-hres-1514
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-31]
Introduced: 2024-09-25
Policy area: Health
Latest action: action_date: 2024-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Summaries:
action_date: 2024-09-25
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This resolution expresses support for the right of cancer patients to access quality care, including the latest treatments and multidisciplinary care.</p>

tv_txt: IV 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1514 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 25, 2024 Mrs. Napolitano (for herself, Ms. Barragán , and Ms. Chu ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Recognizing that cancer patients have the right to receive care that ensures effective prevention, early diagnosis, improved outcomes, optimal patient rehabilitation, and affordable health care.

Whereas most individuals in the United States are affected by cancer in some way; Whereas, according to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 40.5 percent of individuals in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes; Whereas, according to the National Cancer Institute, in 2024, an estimated 14,910 children and adolescents (ages 0 to 19) were diagnosed with cancer, and 1,590 will die of the disease; Whereas, according to the American Cancer Society, in 2024, there will be an estimated 2,001,140 new cancer cases and 611,720 cancer deaths in the United States; Whereas, according to the National Cancer Institute, there were an estimated 18,100,000 cancer survivors in the United States as of January 2022, and the number of cancer survivors is expected to increase to 22,500,000 by 2032; Whereas remarkable advances in cancer research, clinical trials, and targeted treatments are creating better outcomes for patients affected by cancer; Whereas, unfortunately, many cancer patients do not benefit from these treatment advances due to racial and socioeconomic disparities, structural barriers to care, and lack of information in a culturally appropriate and understandable language; Whereas the best chance for a cure begins with early detection, rapid access to expert treatment and surveillance, use of appropriate testing, and timely access to advanced and subspecialty care; Whereas access to multidisciplinary cancer care, including supportive and palliative care, while undergoing treatment can significantly improve outcomes, symptom management, and survival for patients; Whereas there are many ways to help reduce the risk of developing cancer, which can include smoking cessation, engaging in regular exercise, reducing alcohol consumption, effective weight management, preventive cancer vaccines, and regular cancer screenings; Whereas cancer is a unique illness because patients and families are asked to quickly make life-defining decisions; Whereas, in addition to the physical problem brought on by cancer, cancer can cause immense emotional distress and high costs of care for both the patient and their families; Whereas, even if these decisions are effective, they may result in lifelong complications; and Whereas patients and their families are too often left to make decisions without the partnership of a cancer expert with whom they can discuss needs, fears, and hopes for the future: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives supports the rights of cancer patients to— (1) receive care that ensures effective prevention, early diagnosis, improved outcomes, optimal patient rehabilitation, and affordable health care; (2) have the ability to access the latest research and treatments for their specific type of cancer at academic cancer centers and/or National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers, which can best manage complex cancers and offer advanced precision medicine and genomic therapies; (3) have access to relevant diagnostic testing, treatments, clinical trials, medical research, cutting-edge innovation, and effective survivorship care; (4) have access to multidisciplinary cancer care, including early access to supportive and palliative care while undergoing treatment, including care that addresses pain, emotional, and overall health needs; and (5) have access to a proactive voice that provides informed and accurate information about a diagnosis in a culturally appropriate and understandable language.