January 5, 2009
The Honorable Tom Daschle
Health and Human Services Secretary-Designate
Washington, D.C.
Dear Secretary-designate Daschle:
The undersigned organizations, representing cancer patients, providers and researchers throughout the country, congratulate both you and President-elect Obama on your selection as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). We regard you as uniquely qualified to lead the new Administration’s health care reform efforts as proposals are formulated and proceed through the legislative process, and we look forward to working with you to improve access to health care services to everyone in the United States.
Aside from the critically important goal of enhanced access, HHS faces challenges in many areas of intense interest to people with cancer. One area of primary concern is the ability of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the safety and quality of the nation’s food and medical products, while applying the best modern science to make new therapies available at the earliest juncture to seriously ill patients, including those with cancer. We also believe that more must be done to advance the biomedical research enterprise not only through more stable funding of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) but also through improved management and utilization of dedicated research resources.
Every American’s life is touched by cancer, a disease that imposes an incredible burden economically and otherwise. There should be no higher priority for a new Administration than to advance the cause of quality cancer care for everyone who needs it, as well as support for continued research and a regulatory environment that will ensure progress against cancer in the future.
Our organizations stand ready to assist you and the Obama Administration in developing and implementing a robust access, research and regulatory agenda for the benefit of all people living with, or at risk for, cancer.Sincerely,
CANCER LEADERSHIP COUNCIL