Our Positions

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Advocacy Alliance takes a stand on issues of importance to cancer survivors, advocates, and others involved in the movement. Primarily our positions relate to breast cancer research, early detection, and access to high-quality care. From time to time, we may also comment on other health-related topics and sign onto letters other organizations have published, which we feel have may have an impact on the breast cancer community.

Research
To find a cure for breast cancer, we must increase the Nation’s commitment to science and research. This section includes information on where we stand on important governmental research programs.

Early Detection
At this time, there is no known cure for breast cancer. But helping women access early detection through affordable, high-quality mammography is essential to surviving the disease. View our positions on governmental programs that address early detection and screening.

Access to High-Quality Care
Breast cancer knows no bounds, so why should access to quality care be limited? The Komen Advocacy Alliance works with policymakers to ensure patient access to high-quality care for all patients, not just those who can afford it. This section includes our positions on this subject.

Other Issues
The Komen Advocacy Alliance’s positions on broader health-related topics are included in this section. Also, Komen may sign onto letters other organizations and coalitions publish, which are also included in this section.

Specific Legislation
The Komen Advocacy Alliance supports the following bills in the 111th Congress:

• The 21st Century Cancer ALERT Act (S. 717), sponsored by Senators Kennedy, Hutchison, Feinstein — Comprehensive cancer legislation with a focus on early detection, research and access to treatment and cancer care.
   
  
• The Breast Cancer EARLY Act (H.R. 1740, S. 994), sponsored by Reps. Wasserman Schultz, Myrick, Christensen, DeLauro / Senator Klobuchar — Initiates a public education campaign about breast cancer in women under age 40; educates health care providers; and provides grants to organizations that work with young women diagnosed with breast cancer.
   
  
• Access to Cancer Clinical Trials Act of 2009 (H.R. 716, S. 488), sponsored by Reps. Israel, Myrick, Capps / Senator Brown — Requires group health plans and health insurance providers to cover routine patient care costs for people enrolled in clinical trials.
   
  
• Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act (H.R. 1844) sponsored by Rep. Capps — Reimburses Medicare providers for coordinating the cancer care patients receive during treatment and coordinating care after treatment has concluded.
   
  
• Assuring and Improving Cancer Treatment Education and Cancer Symptom Management Act (H.R. 1927), sponsored by Reps. Israel, Tiberi — Provides Medicare coverage of comprehensive cancer patient treatment education services and research to improve cancer symptom management.
   
  
• Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 2421 / S. 1012), sponsored by Rep. Capito / Senator Rockefeller — Creates a commemorative coin, the proceeds of which would benefit research funded by Komen and the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
   
  
• Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act (H.R. 1691/ S. 688), sponsored by Reps. DeLauro, Barton / Senators Landrieu, Snowe — Requires coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies and lymph noted dissections, and coverage for a second opinion.