Elizabeth Edwards and Lance Armstrong Back New Health Legislation

Senators Ted Kennedy and Kay Bailey Hutchinson introduced legislation today entitled, the the 21st Century Cancer Access to Life-Saving Early detection, Research and Treatment (ALERT) Act.

According to the News-Observer:

The Kennedy/Hutchison bill would try to foster better research by linking various organizations and national cancer registries and by boosting funding. It would increase the focus on rare cancers with low survival rates, and would establish a state grant program for colorectal cancers.

The bill also would provide expanded access to clinical trials and set up a new biomarker program for early detection.

Elizabeth said:

"We know how to lengthen and improve the lives of people with cancer, but we've chosen as a nation to turn our backs on some of us who have the disease,” said Elizabeth Edwards. “I urge the United States Senate to embrace the ALERT Act and get it to the President's desk as soon as possible."

Armstrong's comment:

“In 2010, cancer is expected to be the leading cause of death worldwide. Every American is touched by this disease,” said Lance Armstrong, chairman and founder of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. “The 21st Century Cancer ALERT Act and its authors’ leadership in reforming our nation’s approach to the war on cancer are a very welcome step forward to every member of the LIVESTRONG movement.”

Both quotes are from Ted Kennedy's press release, here.

Many thanks to the senators for getting this bill out there. I hope they do act on it soon.

Hat-tip to Elizabeth Edwards News and to Kali Star at the Mother Earth Health blog. I'll be adding EE News to BW's blogroll.