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National Patient Advocate Foundation Applauds Senators Kennedy and Hutchinson for Introducing Legislation to Improve Cancer Care in America

Posted on: Thursday, 26 March 2009, 16:55 CDT

Legislation Supporting Cancer Research, Prevention Services and Survivorship Initiatives Would Increase Access to Cancer Care Nationwide

WASHINGTON, March 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF) -- a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of creating avenues of improved patient access to health care through public policy reform at the state and federal levels -- today praised Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) for introducing the 21st Century Cancer ALERT Act, which offers a comprehensive approach to combating cancer in America through improved cancer prevention, early detection, research and treatment.

"The National Patient Advocate Foundation commends Senators Kennedy and Hutchinson for renewing their commitment to the war on cancer and introducing this historic piece of legislation," said Nancy Davenport-Ennis, Founder and CEO of NPAF. "We, at NPAF, consider it a great privilege to participate with our colleagues in the non-profit community and Senators Kennedy and Hutchinson's health policy teams in the development of this bill and we look forward to working with them to ensure this legislation is signed into law."

The 21st Century Cancer ALERT Act would provide greater access to cancer care for all Americans as well as increase funding for much-needed preventative treatments and screenings. Among other provisions that aim to improve care are greater coordination among existing resources through the linking of cancer registries and federal data sources; increased access to responsible research through improved privacy standards in clinical research; increased access to early detection and cancer prevention through state grant programs for screening and education; and improved coverage of cancer services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. By increasing disease prevention programs and breaking down barriers to patient participation in clinical trials, the legislation would not only improve access to underserved populations, it would help reduce the nation's growing health care costs.

"Since its inception more than a decade ago, NPAF's companion organization, the Patient Advocate Foundation, has provided assistance to thousands of cancer patients and their families," added Davenport-Ennis. "We support this essential piece of legislation as bringing us one step closer to meeting our goal of ensuring all patients have access to the quality health care they deserve."

About the National Patient Advocate Foundation

NPAF and its companion organization, the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF), were founded on the principle that health care is a basic human need and shared social responsibility. NPAF is dedicated to working with Congress and all levels of government to overcome challenges and create solutions that will allow for affordable, high-quality, and effective health care for all. PAF directly assists patients with chronic and life-threatening conditions who are struggling with access to care issues. Last year, PAF received more than 9.5 million inquiries requesting information by phone or on-line and provided complete case management mediation and arbitration services to 48,369 patients confronting serious health care access issues.

For more information see www.npaf.org.

SOURCE National Patient Advocate Foundation

Source: PR Newswire

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