Advocacy & Public Policy Agenda 2013

National Breast Cancer Coalition's 2013 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES

PRIORITY #1

Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act: In September 2010, NBCC set a deadline and launched a plan of action to reach its mission: Breast Cancer Deadline 2020® – knowing how to  end breast cancer by January 1, 2020. The "Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act," first introduced in the 112th Congress, defines an important role the federal government must play in this effort. The legislation complements and enhances the strategic work being done by NBCC to end breast cancer once and for all.

PRIORITY #2

$150 Million for the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) for FY2014: As a result of NBCC’s grassroots advocacy, the DOD BCRP was created in 1992 to "eradicate breast cancer by funding innovative, high-impact research through a partnership of scientists and consumers."  NBCC seeks continued funding for this successful program.

PRIORITY #3

Guaranteed Access to Quality Care for All: Ensuring access to quality, evidence-based health care has been a top priority of NBCC for many years and is an essential component of the Breast Cancer Deadline 2020® goal of ending breast cancer. NBCC works to identify, advocate for, and support the implementation of laws such as the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" which mark important steps forward in access to quality health care for individuals with, and at risk of, breast cancer. In addition, NBCC remains committed to protecting vital existing programs such as the Medicaid Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (Medicaid BCCTP) and critically examining any proposed changes to programs such as Medicare in order to determine the impact they would have on this population.

PRIORITY #4

Ensuring the Participation of Educated Patient Advocates in all Levels of Health Care Decision Making: NBCC continues to work to ensure that educated patient advocates have a "seat at the table" in all levels of health care decision making which affects their lives.