Bush Commits to Breast Cancer Research

On the eve of the National Race for the Cure® in Washington, D.C., President George W. Bush made a commitment to significantly increase federal funding for breast cancer research.

"I hope, I believe and I pray that we are on the verge of great victories against breast cancer," he told a gathering of breast cancer survivors participating in the annual race. "For the first time in human history we can say with some measure of confidence that the war on cancer is winnable."

Bush backed up his optimism with a commitment to increase funding for breast cancer research at the National Institutes of Health by $2.8 billion in 2002. He also called on Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson to encourage states to provide Medicaid coverage to low-income women diagnosed with breast cancer.

In March, Thompson approved the first three proposals by states to expand Medicaid benefits to uninsured women who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer. Maryland, New Hampshire and West Virginia were the first to take advantage of the federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act (BCCPT) that was signed into law in October 2000.

The law extends the full Medicaid benefit package to women who are screened and found to need treatment through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, a federal program administered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

President Bush also emphasized the need to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and increased access to screening services-two of the most critical objectives for Race for the Cure® contributions. "I'm committed to passing a strong Patients' Bill of Rights this year to provide women with needed access to life-saving clinical trials and medical specialists," he added.

The National Race for the Cure® in Washington is the most prominent of more than 100 similar events that take place around the country and throughout the year. Close to 1.3 million people are expected to participate in the various races-raising millions of dollars for breast cancer research, community programs and free cancer screenings.

Over 70,000 people took place in the Washington race, making it the largest 5-K run of its kind in the world. Through registrations and sponsorships, it raised over $3 million.

SOURCES:
Press Statement by President George W. Bush, June 1, 2001
The White House Press Office (http://www.whitehouse.gov)
Press Statement by Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, March 30, 2001
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (http://www.hhs.gov)

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