Bill Overview
Title: Fighting Cancer in Children Act
Description: This bill makes funding available for research and related activities concerning pediatric cancer that are conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from funds previously made available to the NIH Office of the Director. Specifically, the bill transfers unobligated funding from the NIH Office of the Director and merges it with other NIH funding for biorepositories of pediatric cancer specimens and research on pediatric cancer survivorship. The bill also rescinds additional funding that was provided to the NIH Office of the Director.
Sponsors: Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]
Target Audience
Population: Children and adolescents with cancer
Estimated Size: 15000
- The bill is focused on pediatric cancer, which affects children and adolescents under the age of 19.
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 400,000 children and adolescents aged 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer each year globally.
- The bill could also impact families of children with cancer, healthcare providers specializing in pediatric oncology, and researchers involved in pediatric cancer studies.
Reasoning
- The policy directly impacts children diagnosed with cancer, their families, healthcare providers specializing in pediatric oncology, and researchers by potentially improving treatment options and survival rates.
- The immediate financial impact is low on individuals as the funding is redirected within NIH, primarily affecting the outputs and focus of research activities.
- The policy's success hinges on advances in research which will take time to manifest, so immediate wellbeing improvements might be limited. However, potential future benefits could be significant.
- Inclusion of American children with cancer as well as healthcare professionals will give a comprehensive overview of impact, considering both direct and indirect effects.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 8 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I just hope I get better soon so I can play with my friends.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Oncologist specializing in pediatric cancers (Houston, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could fast-track some promising research into pediatric oncology.
- More funds always bring hope for better treatment methods.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Research scientist focusing on pediatric cancers (Boston, MA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy ensures sustained funding which is crucial for ongoing research.
- Better funding could reduce our constraints and allow us to take on more ambitious projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Parent of a child with cancer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Anything that could improve treatments or outcomes for my child is a relief.
- The burden on parents is huge, so funding for more research is definitely needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cancer survivor, student (Miami, FL)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Research saved my life. More funding means more lives saved.
- Though I'm in remission, I worry about relapse. New research brings hope.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Policy analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Redirecting funds to pediatric cancer research is a strategic move considering the growing need.
- It would be interesting to see long-term impacts on healthcare costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Pediatric hospital administrator (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The impact of such policies is often miscalculated in the short term but substantial in the long term.
- We need more initiatives like these to sustain and improve pediatric cancer care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Nurse in pediatric oncology (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Patients' families often discuss financial constraints, so more research funding can ease some worries.
- This works well with current initiatives for personalized treatment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Philanthropist and CEO of pediatric cancer foundation (Denver, CO)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill is a victory for the pediatric cancer community.
- It aligns with our mission and helps leverage additional funds and awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 10 |
Graduate student in medical research (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The additional research funding might ease my research progress and security.
- Supports the upcoming research professionals by sustaining grants and opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 2: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 3: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The financial impact on the NIH's central administration and potential shifts in prioritization due to the rescinding of funds.
- Impact on pediatric cancer research capacity and the potential to advance treatment and survivorship outcomes.
- Potential long-term health outcome improvements for affected populations in the U.S.