Sen. Kennedy to introduce bill to revise national cancer act

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who recently was diagnosed with brain cancer, previously had begun work on legislation that would revise the 1971 National Cancer Act, and supporters hope that the "fact that Kennedy has fallen victim to this disease will generate public support and lend new urgency to the need to update the bill," the AP/Chicago Tribune reports.

An aide to Kennedy on Friday said that the senator, who has worked with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) on the legislation, plans to introduce the bill in the next few weeks. The legislation seeks to improve coordination of cancer research, prevention and treatment and increase funds for research at the National Cancer Institute and other federal agencies.

Earlier this month, Kennedy, who led efforts to pass the National Cancer Act, held a press conference with Hutchison and cyclist and testicular cancer survivor Lance Armstrong to call on Congress to coordinate all of the resources available for the fight against cancer.

Daniel Smith, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said of Kennedy, "His work is pretty much unparalleled in the area of cancer in many ways, and we're excited about the possibility of this bill moving forward because he wants to address cancer in a comprehensive way," adding, "The fact that he now is fighting this disease is a jolt. It's a wake-up call to everyone."

Hala Moddelmog, a breast cancer survivor and president and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, said, "With his legacy in health care, this could be an incredible crowning achievement for him," adding, "I really think people will rally behind it, I really do. I think they already were starting to -- and this will just bring it home to people."

Advocate for Health Care Issues

According to the AP/Tribune, Kennedy "has been a prominent and passionate advocate" for a number of health care issues during his tenure in the Senate. Kennedy has led efforts to pass the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as legislation to establish SCHIP, ensure that workers do not lose access to health insurance when they change jobs due to pre-existing medical conditions.

In addition, he supported efforts to expand health insurance to all U.S. residents, promote biomedical research, promote AIDS research and treatment; establish a national bone marrow donor registry; and allow FDA to regulate tobacco products (Miga, AP/Chicago Tribune, 5/27).