Lee Leads Bipartisan Bill to Support Chronically Underfunded Pediatric Cancer Research

WASHINGTON– This week, Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Mike Kelly (R-PA) introduced the bipartisan Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act. The bill would require the share of federal funds allocated to pediatric cancer research to equal the percentage of the U.S. population that is under the age of 18.

Pediatric cancer research remains severely underfunded despite cancer being the leading cause of disease-related deaths among children. Currently, only 4% of federal funding for cancer research is directed towards childhood cancer, even though over 20% of the population in Nevada and across the country is under the age of 18. This chronic underinvestment has led to lagging developments in age-appropriate cancer treatments, a severe lack of in-state facilities, and excessive travel burdens and wait times for families seeking care.

"No parent or child should have to face the pain of pediatric cancer, but we must do everything in our power to keep hopes high and find a cure," said Congresswoman Lee. "Washington needs to do its part in funding a key area of life-saving research that has been historically neglected. I'm proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Fitzpatrick to ensure that federal funding is properly allocated to match our children's health needs. No family should be left alone in the fight against pediatric cancer."

"More than 17,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each year," said Congressman Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Cancer Caucus. "No child should ever have to suffer through the pain of cancer, nor should any parent have to watch their child struggle and fight to survive. I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act which will ensure pediatric cancer researchers have necessary funding to combat and defeat pediatric cancer."

You can find more information about the Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act here.

Representing the Third Congressional District of Nevada, Congresswoman Lee has been laser-focused on improving access to quality, affordable health care for Nevada families. From championing legislation to help seniors afford life-saving medication to leading efforts to expand telehealth services, Congresswoman Lee is fighting to deliver results in Washington, including her MOBILE Health Care Act which was signed into law last year. Congresswoman Lee has been named one of the top ten most bipartisan Members in the U.S. House, the most bipartisan Member from Nevada, and serves as Vice-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus.