[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 25, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 DEFERMENT FOR ACTIVE CANCER TREATMENT

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the Deferment 
for Active Cancer Treatment Act. I introduced this bill with my friend, 
Congressman Ed Perlmutter, with the support of Critical Mass: The Young 
Adult Cancer Alliance.
  This commonsense and bipartisan measure will enable cancer patients 
to defer payments on public student loans while actively receiving 
treatment, without interest accruing during the deferment period.
  Sadly, in 2018 alone, Mr. Speaker, more than 1.7 million Americans 
will be newly diagnosed with cancer. Beyond the terrible news of this 
cancer diagnosis, these individuals have to endure exhaustive treatment 
and staggering medical expenses, often leading to under- or 
unemployment. This reality makes it incredibly difficult for many 
cancer patients to make payments on their student loans on time.
  By passing the Deferment for Active Cancer Treatment Act, we will 
help so many cancer patients and stimulate the economy. These patients 
will be prevented from defaulting on their student loans, which they so 
desperately need.
  Mr. Speaker, Ed and I encourage our colleagues to stand with cancer 
patients across our Nation and support and cosponsor the Deferment for 
Active Cancer Treatment Act

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