"The American Cancer Society believes increased access to clinical trials is a key element in the War on Cancer," said Gerald L. Woolam, M.D., President of the American Cancer Society. "Today’s action will remove one of the unnecessary roadblocks our seniors face in their efforts to get state of-the-art cancer treatments through clinical trials. We applaud President Clinton and Vice President Gore for this action and look forward to working with the Administration on the implementation of this important benefit."

The American Cancer Society has identified increasing access to quality scientific peer-reviewed clinical trials as one of its top priorities. This year, an estimated 1.2 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer.

Approximately 50 percent of these new cancer patients will be Medicare beneficiaries. For many cancer patients, effective treatment remains elusive. Some of the more promising treatments are currently being evaluated through clinical trials.

While clinical trials are often a patient’s best chance at an improved quality of life and survival, currently only 1.5 percent of Medicare beneficiaries with cancer enroll in a trial. According to the recently released Institute of Medicine report on Medicare clinical trials, lack of consistent Medicare policy toward coverage of routine patient care costs is one of the primary contributing factors.

The American Cancer Society has also been pressing for passage of the Medicare Cancer Clinical Trials Coverage Act, sponsored by Senators Connie Mack (R-FL) and Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Representatives Nancy Johnson (R-CT) and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD). The Society has worked hard to garner broad, bipartisan support for the legislation, which has led to co-sponsorship by 169 Members of the House and 47 Senators.

"We would also like to applaud Senators Mack and Rockefeller and Representatives Johnson and Cardin for leading the way in making Medicare coverage of clinical trials a priority issue on the national agenda," added Dr. Woolam.

The American Cancer Society is also working with legislators on Capitol Hill for inclusion of clinical trials coverage for managed care patients through the Patients’ Bill of Rights.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org.