Congressman Mike Thompson lauded for endorsing the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act

Lung Cancer AllianceOct 31 2009

Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) praised Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) for his endorsement of the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009. Thompson joins Representatives Michael Honda (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) in strengthening California's Congressional support for this critically needed legislation.

The Senate version of the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009 was first introduced in the Senate by California Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) as an original co-sponsor.

"Lung cancer affects millions of men and women everyday and we must do everything we can to combat this deadly disease" said Thompson. "This legislation sets up a comprehensive program intended to drive lung cancer research forward and find innovative new methods of diagnosis and treatment."

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death both nationally and in California. This year alone it will take the lives of more Californians than breast, prostate and colon cancers -- combined.

"This bill addresses the critical need for increased research funding for the most stigmatized and ignored cancer, lung cancer," said LCA-California Co-chair, Gloria Hovde. "We applaud Congressman Thompson for recognizing the importance of this legislation making lung cancer a national public health priority."

Introduced in the House by Representatives Donna Christensen (D-VI) and Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009 is the first ever federal legislation requiring the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Defense and Veterans Affairs to combine forces on a comprehensive, coordinated plan of action to reduce lung cancer mortality by 50% by 2015.

In addition, LCMRA directs the Secretaries of Department of Defense (DOD) and Veterans' Affairs (VA) to implement an early detection and disease management program for military personnel who are at high risk for lung cancer because of smoking or exposure to carcinogens during active duty.

The legislation also:

• Authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to create a new Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction drug program with incentives for new treatments, targeted therapies, vaccines and chemoprevention drugs for precancerous conditions.
• Requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to carry out an early disease research program targeted at the high incidence and mortality rates among minority and low-income populations.
• Includes specific authorizations of $75,000,000 for certain NIH agencies in FY10 and authorizes such additional sums as may be necessary for all the cited agencies to accomplish the goal for FY 2010 through FY2014.