National Breast Cancer Coalition

Get On The Clock

Policy

 

NBCC's mission is to eradicate breast cancer by designing and acting on effective strategies addressed to the administration, Congress, research institutions and health care providers to end this disease. The Coalition informs, trains, and directs patients and others in effective advocacy efforts. Nationwide, the women and men we have trained are shaping breast cancer public policy by participating in legislative, scientific and regulatory decisions; promoting critical analysis of breast cancer information, media coverage and actively working to change all systems that affect our mission to eradicate breast cancer. 

 

NBCC's 2011 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES  

 

PRIORITY #1

Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act: In September 2010, NBCC launched Breast Cancer Deadline 2020, a call to action for policymakers, researchers, breast cancer advocates and other stakeholders to end the disease by January 1, 2020.  The Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act, introduced as H.R. 3067 in the House of Representatives and soon to be introduced in the Senate, complements and enhances the strategic work being done by NBCC to end breast cancer once and for all and defines an important role that the federal government must play in this effort.

PRIORITY #2

Guaranteed Access to Quality Care for All:  For many years now, NBCC has made access to quality health care for all a top priority.  The “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” passed in 2010 represents a significant step forward towards this goal and provides many important protections for breast cancer survivors.  Full implementation of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” is essential in order to ensure these vital protections for breast cancer survivors and to move us closer to the goal of quality health care for all.

PRIORITY #3

$120 Million for the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) for FY2013: As a result of NBCC’s grassroots advocacy, the DOD BCRP was created in 1992 to “eradicate breast cancer by funding innovative, high-impact research through a partnership of scientists and consumers.”  NBCC seeks continued funding for this successful program.

PRIORITY #4

Preservation of the Medicaid Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program: Congress enacted the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act in 2000 after years of NBCC grassroots lobbying and influence.  NBCC remains committed to ensuring all women and men screened or diagnosed with breast cancer through federal screening programs have access to the treatment they need. 

PRIORITY #5

Ensuring the Participation of Educated Patient Advocates in all Levels of Health Care Decision Making:  NBCC continues to work to ensure that educated patient advocates have a “seat at the table” in all levels of health care decision making that affects their lives.