Every aspect of breast cancer is touched by public policy.

Our elected and appointed officials are charged with making important breast cancer policy decisions every year. Consider the following:

FUNDING FOR MEANINGFUL BREAST CANCER RESEARCH.

• Congress makes that decision. The United States Congress decides each year the amount of our federal tax dollars that will be spent on breast cancer research and federal programs.
• The President submits a budget to Congress that includes medical research funding.
• The United States Congress funds the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and the National Cancer Institute.

RESEARCH THAT FOCUSES ON PRIMARY PREVENTION AND INTERVENTIONS THAT WILL SAVE LIVES

• The directors of the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute oversee distribution of billions of research dollars. The President of the United States appoints those public officials who decide how the money will be spent, and what
  research strategy will be followed.

ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE

• The United States Congress has the power to expand access to quality health care to all.
• The President appoints leadership in agencies and cabinet positions that determine Medicare and Medicaid, drug approval and other breast cancer related issues.
• The United States Congress has the power to regulate medical insurers and to prohibit discrimination and pre-existing
  condition restrictions. Each state’s legislature has the power to regulate insurance and medical providers within its boundaries.
• The President appoints leadership in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which approves devices and drugs used in cancer treatment.

EDUCATED ADVOCATES MUST HAVE A SAY IN DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING THE POLICIES THAT IMPACT BREAST CANCER.

• Congress and state legislatures can mandate the inclusion of consumers in decision making, including at agencies that determine important issues on research, health care and drug approval.