Bill Overview
Title: Childhood Cancer STAR Reauthorization Act
Description: This act reauthorizes through FY2028 and modifies pediatric cancer research and related programs, including to expand collection of and access to relevant biospecimens and to support the transition of pediatric cancer survivors to primary care.
Sponsors: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Target Audience
Population: Survivors of pediatric cancer
Estimated Size: 45000
- This bill specifically targets pediatric cancer patients by aiming to enhance research, treatment, and access programs.
- The expansion of biospecimen collection and access is likely to benefit researchers working on pediatric cancer therapies.
- Programs supporting the transition of pediatric cancer survivors to primary care will directly impact such survivors.
- Pediatric cancer survivors would benefit from improved healthcare research and systems designed to manage long-term care.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily benefits survivors of pediatric cancer, a highly specific subset, and given the focus on research and transition to primary care, it directly offers growth and support to not just the patients and survivors but also the ecosystem around them, including families and healthcare providers.
- Considering the budget and the targeted improvement in healthcare access and research, the policy may not create widespread economic changes, but it significantly boosts healthcare support for a small, specific group.
- The limitations in budget mean the impact won't be highly visible immediately in a large population; instead, it focuses on improving the trajectory and quality of life within the existing framework.
- The degree of impact varies across different survivors, depending on their location, access to comprehensive health systems, and previous level of awareness about available care.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Austin, Texas)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see efforts to enhance the care system for people like me.
- Having more resources could improve my transition to adulthood with a better support system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Research Scientist (San Francisco, California)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More biospecimen data means better research endeavors and outcomes.
- The act's support broadens our understanding and could lead to breakthroughs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Pediatric Oncologist (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving transition protocols will greatly help us in clinical follow-ups.
- We need these types of policies to drive systemic improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Parent (Albany, New York)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ensuring access to primary care is invaluable for my child's continued health.
- Hope this also leads to emotional support frameworks for families.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Part-time Worker (Miami, Florida)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transition support is personally important as I navigate adulthood.
- I'm hopeful for increased healthcare access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Pediatric Health Policy Advocate (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act solidifies the need for targeted support which we've advocated for years.
- Empowering survivors with better healthcare outcomes is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Farmer (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope policies like this help those in need, even if it doesn't affect me.
- It's reassuring that the government supports vulnerable groups.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing there are better care systems for my grandson's future is comforting.
- The act should bring some peace of mind to families like ours.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Social Worker (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The additional research funding could back more comprehensive care plans.
- This broadens access which can enhance our support strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired Healthcare Administrator (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested to see if this policy will bring sustainable changes to pediatric care.
- There might be a need for continual policy adjustments to meet real-world needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $40000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $45000000)
Year 2: $41000000 (Low: $36000000, High: $46000000)
Year 3: $42000000 (Low: $37000000, High: $47000000)
Year 5: $44000000 (Low: $38000000, High: $48000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- This reauthorization maintains and updates existing programs, focusing on continuity rather than expansive new spending.
- Expanded biospecimen access could enhance research quality and effectiveness, possibly leading to more rapid advancements.
- Managing transitions for pediatric cancer survivors into primary care is a crucial, yet modest, cost addition designed to improve care quality.