108th Congress

Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2003

H.R. 2986 and S. 1496

Background

According to congressional findings, there are more than 9.6 million cancer survivors in the United States. Recognizing the large number of individuals surviving cancer for longer periods of time, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) administratively established the Office of Cancer Survivorship (OCS) in 1996. OCS 1) supports and promotes research that examines and addresses the long-term and short-term effects of cancer and its treatment, 2) provides information to cancer patients and their families, health care providers, advocates, and the research community, 3) conducts meetings with researchers, health professionals, advocacy groups, and the public to build common research agendas and ensure dissemination of research findings, and 4) conducts an annual analysis of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/U.S. Department of Defense grants pertaining to cancer survivorship.

During the 107th Congress, cancer survivorship was included in four broad cancer bills, and Representative Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) introduced a freestanding bill dedicated solely to the issue. Legislation introduced in the 108th Congress was similar to Representative Hoyer’s legislation, the most significant difference being that the amount NCI would have been required to spend on cancer survivorship research was no longer specified. Additional legislation introduced in the 108th Congress that contained survivorship language included S. 2771, the Quality of Care for Individuals With Cancer Act, and S. 1101/H.R. 2741 and S. 1899, each entitled the National Cancer Act.

Provisions of the Legislation/Impact on NIH

• Section 3 of the Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2003 would have amendedNCIs cancer control program to include cancer survivorship.
• Section 4 would have added a new section toNCIs statute requiring the Director of NIH to expand and coordinate the Agency’s cancer survivorship research activities. It would have also required the Director of NIH to establish an Office of Survivorship withinNCI.
• Section 5 would have required the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to expand and update the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program; assist in the development and implementation of cancer prevention and control programs across the United States that would have also addressed health disparities; promote cancer education, prevention, and early detection; and award grants for cancer control and prevention. The Secretary of HHS would have been required to submit a report on the activities described above by October 1, 2004. This section would have also required CDC, in collaboration withNCI, to study the health problems experienced by cancer survivors and improve their long-term health through projects and interventions. Such sums as may be necessary would have been appropriated for fiscal years (FYs) 2004 through 2008.
• Section 6 would have required CDC andNCIto award grants to monitor and evaluate quality cancer care. Such sums as may be necessary would have been appropriated for FYs 2004 through 2008.

Status and Outlook

H.R. 2986 was introduced by Representative Roger Wicker (R-MS) on July 25, 2003, and was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. No further action occurred on this legislation during the 108th Congress.

S. 1496 was introduced by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) on July 30, 2003, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. No further action occurred on this legislation during the 108th Congress.