Finally, the global scientific collaborations and rapid sharing of resources and expertise necessitated by the pandemic, already a staple of the team science approach in cancer science and medicine, offer a framework for rapidly responding to future public health crises of this magnitude in the years to come.

A CALL TO ACTION
Building on these experiences, the AACR Report on the Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Research and Patient Care includes a Call to Action with steps that Congress should take to rebuild U.S. public health infrastructure, enhance medical research, and modernize how patients receive care and enroll in clinical trials. Recommendations include:


Offset pandemic-related research costs by providing at least $10 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its grantees in emergency supplemental funding as proposed in the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act of 2021.
Increase investments in cancer research and prevention by supporting robust, sustained, and predictable growth for NIH and NCI, including at least $3.5 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, in fiscal year (FY) 2022, for a total funding level of $46.4 billion for NIH and $7.6 billion for NCI.
Enact policies that broaden health care coverage and reduce inequities in access to health care, such as expanding Medicaid.
Deliver a permanent extension of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)-approved telehealth services and support greater access to telehealth by providing funding, including grants, to support high-speed broadband, reach underserved areas, and address the digital divide.
Support the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory science initiatives and advance the development of oncology products by providing an increase of at least $343 million in discretionary budget authority in FY 2022.
Increase diversity in clinical trials and alleviate the financial burden on prospective trial participants by reimbursing patients for ancillary trial-related costs, such as transportation and lodging, as contained in the DIVERSE Act.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of basic science, cancer prevention, cancer screenings, and addressing cancer disparities,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of AACR. “To restore the momentum against cancer, we urge Congress to continue its long-standing commitment to supporting cancer research. Robust, sustained, and predictable annual funding increases for NIH and NCI will propel future scientific advances, maximize returns from prior investments in cancer research, drive economic prosperity, and support new lifesaving cures for patients with cancer.”

The AACR Report on the Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Research and Patient Care builds on AACR’s commitment to advancing scientific understanding of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, and all aspects of how the pandemic affects cancer research and care. In coordination with its COVID-19 and Cancer Task Force, AACR has hosted two scientific conferences and published groundbreaking research on COVID-19 and cancer; engaged patient advocates to identify barriers and develop solutions to optimize cancer care during the pandemic; and remained a steadfast voice in support of policies that protect patients with cancer during this crisis.

Back to HCB News

U.S. Healthcare Homepage