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AACI Participates in Advocacy Events, Endorses Legislation to Improve Clinical Trials
Pictured, left to right: Jennifer W. Pegher, Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli, Dr. Matthew Vander Heiden, at a leadership roundtable hosted by United for Medical Research.
As part of its ongoing engagement with cancer-related public policy, AACI participated in a variety of advocacy events in Washington, DC, in September, reflecting our commitment to advocating on behalf of academic cancer centers.
AACI’s government relations team joined over 250 participants in the Rally for Medical Research on September 18 to meet with members of Congress to ask for increased funding for medical research. The fiscal year 2025 request is $51.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
On September 24, AACI President Robert A. Winn, MD, director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, participated as a featured panelist in a congressional briefing. "Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities in Cancer Research" highlighted the importance of studying cancer disparities. The briefing was hosted by One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC), a broad coalition of public interest groups, including AACI, that represents researchers, cancer centers, patients, and survivors.
That same day, AACI Executive Director Jennifer W. Pegher attended a leadership roundtable with NIH Director Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD. Hosted by United for Medical Research (UMR), this high-level meeting invited leaders from UMR member organizations to discuss opportunities and challenges that the NIH is facing, both in the short and long term.
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Clinical Trial Modernization Act
AACI recently endorsed HR 8412, the Clinical Trial Modernization Act. This is a bipartisan bill introduced by Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon (R-IN). The legislation seeks to remove barriers for participation in clinical trials.
The Clinical Trial Modernization Act would:
- Allow clinical trial sponsors to financially support patients for costs associated with trial participation, including medical cost-sharing like copays and non-medical expenses such as travel, parking, food and lodging
- Allow sponsors to provide the technology needed for remote participation in clinical trials
- Amend the Internal Revenue Code so stipends or other forms of payment provided by a trial sponsor, up to $2,000, are not considered taxable income or counted against income limits for programs such as Medicaid
- Support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide grants for community education, outreach, and recruitment activities to improve clinical trial engagement among underrepresented populations
AACI encourages you to use our customizable letter to ask your congressional delegations to co-sponsor or support the legislation.