[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 41 (Monday, October 16, 2000)]
[Pages 2375-2376]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

October 7, 2000

    Good morning. Every year more than 56,000 Americans die from 
colorectal cancer, and another 130,000 are diagnosed with the disease. 
These are people we know and love, our families, friends, and neighbors. 
Today I want to talk about our common fight against this quiet killer 
and what we can do as a Nation to save more lives.
    Many people are uncomfortable talking about cancer, especially 
colorectal cancer. And while all of us may be able to appreciate this 
reluctance, our silence protects no one, least of all those we love 
most. That's why so many Americans, tens of thousands of

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them, led by Katie Couric, have come to Washington this weekend to speak 
out and rally against colorectal cancer.
    For 8 years now, the Vice President and I have made the fight 
against cancer one of our top priorities, nearly doubling funding for 
cancer research and treatment. We've also accelerated the approval of 
cancer drugs while maintaining the highest standards of safety. We've 
strengthened Medicare to make prevention, screening, and clinical trials 
more available and more affordable. During Breast Cancer Awareness 
Month, the Senate voted to fund our proposal to provide health coverage 
to uninsured women with breast and cervical cancer.
    These efforts are paying off. Earlier this year we learned for the 
first time that cancer deaths in the United States are no longer rising. 
We need to build on that progress by encouraging more early detection 
and treatment. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cancer killer in 
America. The good news is that caught soon enough, more than 90 percent 
of the cases can be cured. That's why in 1998 Hillary helped to launch 
the first national campaign against colorectal cancer, much as we've 
been working for years to defeat breast cancer.
    Our family, like so many American families, knows all too well the 
terrible toll cancer can take, and we want to do everything we can to 
help others avoid that loss. Today I'm announcing several new actions in 
the war against cancer. First, the National Cancer Institute will invest 
$30 million over the next 5 years to help doctors expand and improve 
screening procedures for colorectal cancer. We need to address the 
chronic underuse of these lifesaving tools, and this new investment will 
encourage physicians to make regular use of the most effective 
procedures.
    Second, we're launching a new initiative to educate Medicare 
beneficiaries about the importance of regular checkups and cancer 
screenings. Beginning next year, every senior and every American with a 
disability using Medicare will get a screening reminder, starting with 
one on colorectal cancer, every time they go to their doctor or use 
Medicare's toll-free hotline.
    Third, I'm urging Congress to pass bipartisan legislation that 
expands Medicare to include more sophisticated colorectal cancer 
screening tests for people over the age of 50. Congress should not 
adjourn before sending me this legislation. They should also pass my 
proposal to eliminate all cost-sharing requirements for colorectal 
screening and other preventive procedures under Medicare. If we take 
these steps, we'll remove major barriers to older Americans getting the 
preventive care they need.
    And finally, once again I ask Congress to pass a strong, enforceable 
Patients' Bill of Rights, one that ensures that cancer patients, along 
with all patients, have access to the specialty care they need. It's 
time to put progress before partisanship and get people the medical care 
they need and deserve.
    While the war against cancer is not yet won, we all have reason for 
new hope. Even as I speak, scientists are fast unlocking the secrets of 
the human genome, and revolutionary treatments are sure to follow. As 
they do, Americans should know that we'll do everything necessary to 
safeguard their privacy and to outlaw genetic discrimination in both 
employment and health insurance.
    In the meantime, we must all stand watch against cancer, even if 
that means confronting at times our worst fears. None of us will ever 
die of embarrassment, so go to the doctor and get that screening done. 
Remember, with early detection, quality care, love from our families, 
and the grace of God, we can all lead longer, healthier, and better 
lives.
    Thank you.

Note: The address was recorded at 2:13 p.m. on October 6 in the East 
Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on October 7. In his 
remarks, the President referred to Katie Couric, cohost of NBC's ``Today 
Show'' and cofounder of WebMD Rock 'n Race to Fight Colon Cancer. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
October 6 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast.