Cancer Research
Over 100 years ago Western New York gave modern cancer research to the world through what would become the Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Today our region continues to lead the way in medical and scientific research. As a Member of the House Cancer Caucus, Brian has been a steadfast supporter for cancer research, both for local researchers and for the nation’s cancer program generally. Brian has led efforts among his colleagues to increase funding for cancer research and is engaged with the cancer community on innovations that will alleviate suffering due to cancer and ultimately find a cure. Brian has introduced H.R. 1801, the Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act, which would require health insurance companies to provide the same coverage for new, promising orally-administered anti-cancer medication as it does for traditional intravenous chemotherapy.
More on Cancer Research
This week the House of Representatives approved H.R. 3381, the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act. The legislation, cosponsored by Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), had broad bipartisan support.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is reaching out to Vice President Joseph Biden, formally inviting the leader of the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative to see first-hand the outstanding cancer research happening right here in Western New York at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), a member of the Congressional Cancer Caucus and founder of the National Institutes of Health Caucus, welcomed the intensified U.S. effort in the fight against cancer. This week, as we recognize February 4th as World Cancer Day, the White House pledged $1 billion in federal funding over the next two years to attack one of the largest health threats facing families today.
Higgins addressed the issue on the House Floor:
Today the White House announced plans for a $1 billion investment toward the National Cancer Moonshot initiative aimed at the elimination of cancer as we know it. Under the proposal, $195 million in new cancer research will be dedicated this year and the President will propose $755 million for cancer research in his FY2017 budget due out next week. Congressman Higgins released the following statement in response:
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced today that Buffalo biopharmaceutical company Cleveland BioLabs, Inc. has been awarded a grant of up to $6.6 million from the Department of Defense. This award will fund a clinical study designed to support a Biologics License Application (BLA) for entolimodas a medical radiation countermeasure.
New York State is expanding its efforts to prevent colorectal cancer, the state’s second leading cause of cancer death. Over five years, $8 million in federal grants will go toward new screening initiatives that will be administered by the New York State Department of Health. Each year, nearly 10,000 New Yorkers develop colorectal cancer and more than 3,000 die as a result, however with regular screenings, many of these diagnoses and deaths can be prevented.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) commends Carl Morrison, MD, DVM, of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) on his appointment to the federal Advisory Panel on Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests. The new 15-member panel has been established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to help guide and inform CMS leadership on decisions and policies regarding new diagnostic laboratory tests.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) spoke on the Floor of the House of Representatives today regarding H.R. 2739, the Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act. The bipartisan legislation would require health insurance companies to provide equal coverage for traditional, intravenous chemotherapy and orally-administered prescription chemotherapy drugs.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announces the formation of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Caucus, dedicated to increasing NIH funding and support for biomedical research. Higgins co-chairs the NIH Caucus with Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and Peter King (NY-2).
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced that Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) researchers Brahm Segal, MD, and Kirsten Moysich, PhD, have received a five-year, roughly $3 million award from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to study immune responses in women with ovarian cancer and to identify biomarkers that can predict response to treatment. First-year funding will be $589,735, and funding in each of the subsequent four years of the project is expected to be at a similar level.