[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 16, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2719-S2720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN SUPPORT OF ONCOLOGY NURSES AND ONCOLOGY NURSING SOCIETY

 Mr. REED. Mr. President, I would like to bring to the 
attention of my colleagues the important role that oncology nurses play 
in the care of patients diagnosed with cancer.
  This year alone 1,284,900 Americans will hear the words ``You have 
cancer''. Everyday, oncology nurses see the pain and suffering caused 
by cancer and understand the physical, emotional, and financial 
challenges that people with cancer face throughout their diagnosis and 
treatment.

[[Page S2720]]

  Cancer is a complex, multifaceted, and chronic disease, and people 
with cancer are best served by a multidisciplinary health care team 
specialized in oncology care, including nurses who are certified in 
that specialty. Oncology nurses play a central role in the provision of 
quality cancer care as they are principally involved in the 
administration and monitoring of chemotherapy and the associated side-
effects patients may experience. As anyone ever treated for cancer will 
tell you, oncology nurses are intelligent, well-trained, highly 
skilled, kind-hearted angels who provide quality clinical, 
psychosocial, and supportive care to patients and their families. In 
short, they are integral to our nation's cancer care delivery system.
  The Oncology Nursing Society, ONS, is the largest organization of 
oncology health professionals in the world with more than 30,000 
registered nurses and other health care professionals. Since 1975, the 
Oncology Nursing Society has been dedicated to excellence in patient 
care, teaching, research, administration and education in the field of 
oncology. The Society's mission is to promote excellence in oncology 
nursing and quality cancer care. To that end, ONS honors and maintains 
nursing's historical and essential commitment to advocacy for the 
public good by providing nurses and healthcare professionals with 
access to the highest quality educational programs, cancer-care 
resources, research opportunities, and networks for peer support.
  The ONS has a chapter that serves the state of Rhode Island and the 
southeastern Massachusetts areas. This chapter helps them to continue 
to provide high quality cancer care to those patients and their 
families. On behalf of the people of Rhode Island, I want to express my 
appreciation for all that these amazing nurses do to advance the health 
and well-being of people with cancer and to further the practice of 
oncology nursing.
  Despite significant breakthroughs in the treatment, early detection, 
and prevention of cancer, two-thirds of new cancer cases strike people 
over the age of 65 and the number of new cancer cases diagnosed among 
the elderly is projected to more than double by 2030 as the Baby Boom 
generation ages. The impact that cancer has on our nation, especially 
on the Medicare Program, cannot be underestimated or overlooked. In 
addition, more than 115,000 nursing positions will go unfilled by the 
year 2015--a factor which--taken with eroding Medicare payment for 
outpatient cancer care--further exacerbates the challenge of a growing 
number of cancer cases.
  This week more than 5,000 oncology nurses from around the country 
have traveled to Washington, DC to attend the Oncology Nursing 
Society's 27th Annual Congress. This year's theme is aptly titled ``The 
Many Faces of Oncology Nursing.'' The attendees will increase their 
knowledge of the newest cancer treatments, learn the latest 
developments in cancer nursing research, and enhance their clinical 
skills and contribute to their professional development. In addition, 
approximately 550 of these nurses--representing 49 states--will come to 
Capitol Hill to discuss issues.
  I would like to commend the Oncology Nursing Society for all of its 
efforts over the last 27 years and to thank the Society and its members 
for their ongoing commitment to improving and assuring access to 
quality cancer care for all cancer patients and their families.

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