news

Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) has cosponsored legislation that would expand opportunities for childhood cancer research and enhance quality of life for childhood cancer survivors. H.R. 820, the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act authorizes the National Cancer Institute to expand existing efforts to collect biospecimens from clinical trials for use in research. The bill also authorizes grants to state cancer registries to better identify and track cancer in children and young adults. Additionally, the bill establishes a pilot program to test innovative models of care for childhood cancer survivors.
 
“There are very few people that haven’t been touched by a cancer diagnosis — either for themselves or a loved one,” said Latta. “When it’s a child that is afflicted, it’s even more heartbreaking. The Childhood Cancer STAR Act expands existing research and improves our ability to identify and track childhood cancer cases, which will aid in the efforts to find a cure for the leading cause of death in American children. At the same time, the bill would improve the lives of the those surviving childhood cancer through additional resources to help prevent secondary cancers or follow-up complications.”     
 
In addition, Latta also cosponsored H.R. 930, the Lymphedema Treatment Act, which would require Medicare to cover certain lymphedema compression treatment items as durable medical equipment. Lymphedema is marked by an accumulation of swelling in areas of the body where lymph nodes or lymphatic vessels are damaged. Cancer treatment is one common cause of secondary lymphedema. Compression therapy enables patients to effectively manage the condition and improve their health and quality of life.
 
###