In the past two decades, advancements in biomedical research, and cancer treatment, prevention, and surveillance have led to extraordinary progress being made in the fight against cancer.
However, now, with a new fiscal year on the horizon and Congress determined to reduce federal spending, entire cancer research, prevention, and surveillance programs are on the verge of elimination.
The President’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget threatens to slash funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Perhaps most devastating would be the proposed 40% cut to the NIH budget and the elimination of the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion (NCCDPHP). This Center houses the U.S.’s federal cancer prevention and surveillance programs.
These proposed cuts will decimate the future of cancer care in the United States, attempting to save a little bit of money at the potential cost of thousands of lives.
Now is the Time to Act. Together, We Can Prevent These Devastating Cuts.
During HOPA’s Virtual Hill Day on May 6th, oncology pharmacists and cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors from 29 states met with the offices of their elected officials to advocate for continued funding for cancer prevention, surveillance, and research programs. During our 68 meetings, these advocates urged Congress to reject the proposed cuts in order to ensure that the United States continues to drive innovation and lead the fight against cancer, and that all Americans have the support and resources they need to battle this disease.
You can read more about our efforts during Virtual Hill Day here.
HOPA is also partnering with other members of the healthcare community to take a stand. HOPA has signed onto joint statements with One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC), the Cancer Leadership Council, and the Coalition for Health Funding arguing against these dangerous cuts. In our letters to lawmakers, we request renewed funding and support for federal cancer research and prevention programs at the NIH, NCI, CDC, and FDA.
There is Still Work to be Done. Reach Out to Your Elected Officials and Make Your Voice Heard.
Join our VoterVoice campaign to write letters and make phone calls to your U.S. Senators and Representatives. Our Legislative Action Center makes it easy to share your perspectives and stories. Tell your elected officials how these cuts would impact cancer patients in your institutions and communities. Click here to participate.
Big or small, your stories, your experiences, and your voices matter. Because by saving cancer research and prevention now, we can save more lives in the future – together.
