[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 32 (Thursday, March 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE MEDICARE CANCER CLINICAL TRIAL ACT

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to express my support 
for the Medicare Cancer Clinical Trial Act of 1997. This bill will 
provide important assistance to the national battle against cancer.
  In so many ways, this disease brutally impacts the lives of millions 
of Americans and their families. In my State of Michigan, for example, 
over 50,000 residents were diagnosed with cancer last year alone. Half 
of all those diagnosed with cancer are Medicare beneficiaries, who also 
account for 60 percent of all cancer deaths.
  One of the most effective weapons available in this war on cancer is 
research. Each year, scientists and medical clinicians provide valuable 
insights about the causes of various cancers as well as new therapies 
to treat them. The legislation I endorse today will provide cancer 
patients with greater access to clinical trials. One of the most 
important benefits of these particular trials is determining the 
effects of treatments on persons over the age of 65. Should these 
experimental therapies prove successful, this legislation will offer 
Federal agencies information to help them determine whether or not 
these treatments should be expanded to include all Medicare 
beneficiaries.
  In my opinion, Michigan and the rest of the Nation can wait no longer 
to determine the applicability of these potentially groundbreaking 
treatments. I believe that America's elderly population should be given 
every means available to wage a war on cancer in which they can be the 
victors. In addition, this Nation should have the opportunity to 
utilize those treatments that are cost-effective and successful in 
treating the millions of Americans affected by cancer every year.
  For these reasons, I am very proud to cosponsor this legislation and 
urge my colleagues to do the same.

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