Paul Urges Colleagues to Help Cancer Patients

FOR RELEASE: July 21, 2000

Washington, D.C. - On Tuesday, Representative Ron Paul wrote his colleagues in Congress asking them to support legislation that would provide more resources to people suffering from cancer and other terminal diseases. Paul said his "Cancer and Terminal Illness Patient Health Care Act" (HR 4265) represents a commonsense policy that will help working Americans who are suffering.

"It is hard to think of a more compassionate policy this Congress could adopt than one to stop taking needed resources away from people who have cancer, AIDS or other terrible health problems," said Paul. "The 'Cancer and Terminal Illness Patient Health Care Act' is a realistic way to help people receive quality health care when they need it most."

The "Cancer and Terminal Illness Patient Health Care Act" exempts Americans stricken with cancer or other terminal illnesses from the employee portion of payroll taxes while they are incurring significant medical costs associated with their condition. Paul, a physician who has specialized in women's health issues for decades, knows first-hand how critical it is that patients with cancer have resources available to combat the disease.

Paul said, "When stricken with cancer or another terminal illness, many Americans struggle to pay for the treatment necessary to save, or extend, their lives. Even those employees with health insurance incur costs such as transportation to and from care centers, paying for prescription drugs, or paying for childcare while they receive treatment. Yet the federal government continues to force these employees to pay for a retirement they may never live to see! I call on Congress to support this common sense legislation and provide relief to those who are suffering by cosponsoring the 'Cancer and Terminal Illness Patient Health Care Act'."