F24 Increased Federal Funding for Cancer Research and Prevention Programs
We are asking Congress to support the highest possible increases for cancer research and prevention programs in the FY24 funding bill.
ACS CAN requests $51 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including $9.988 billion* for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPAH). We also request $472.4 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) cancer programs, including $230 million for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
*This is the funding amount the NCI has identified as necessary to conduct their work in the next fiscal year.
Background:
On June 2nd, Congress passed, and the President immediately signed, a bill to raise the debt ceiling and prevent our nation from defaulting on its financial obligations. Under this debt ceiling bill, called the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, Congress and the Biden administration agreed to essentially flat funding for nondefense discretionary spending in 2024 and only a 1% increase in 2025.
However, while the size of the budget pie may already be set, the size of the slice of the pie that each agency and program will get is yet to be determined. That is why lawmakers must hear from their constituents regarding the importance of cancer research and prevention programs.
The current fiscal year ends on September 30th, and members of Congress have until then to extend the current funding levels or develop new ones.
Research:
Congress must reject any proposed cuts to research and prevention funding and instead prioritize robust increases that protect the nation’s research foundation that has ignited lifesaving advancements for those touched by cancer and solidified our country’s status as an international leader in research. Far too much is at risk if we roll the clock back.
ACS CAN requests funding levels higher than the proposed Senate levels, as that is what is needed to keep pace with lifesaving advancements in cancer research. Congress must work to pass a bill that provides the highest possible increases for cancer research and prevention programs.
At a time when we are poised to end cancer as we know it for everyone – we can’t afford to pause our progress on cancer research and prevention funding.
NIH & NCI lead, conduct, and support cancer research across the nation. Every major medical breakthrough in cancer can be directly traced back to the NIH & NCI.
Cuts to funding would prevent future discovery for the cancers where we don’t have answers. Moreover, it will undermine our ability to leverage past investments to apply what we know works to prevent and detect cancer.
Without continued increases in funding, we risk losing a generation of young investigators, slowing progress, and threatening American competitiveness. To maintain the pace of progress and discovery, Congress must provide long-term, sustained, funding increases for these critical agencies.
Prevention:
For more than 30 years the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) has addressed disparities in breast and cervical cancer deaths.
This program provides low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women access to breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services, including mammograms, pap tests, and diagnostic testing if abnormal results are found.
The program is highly effective at detecting and treating breast and cervical cancer in a population that may otherwise not be screened.
Providing increased funding for this program is an important step toward reducing disparities and advancing health equity in breast and cervical cancer.
