Congress is deciding how to spend our tax dollars – the decisions could be made this week – and the House of Representatives is still considering a cut of $100,000,000 to cancer research funding.

C3 is a member of the [One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC)](http://www.ovaconline.org) coalition. OVAC has professionals in DC telling our Representatives that cancer matters at home. We must reinforce that message if we want our Representatives to listen.

C3 has set up an action alert in our [One Minute Advocate](http://www.kintera.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=cgKJLROyEpH&b=437949) so you can log in and send a fax to your elected representative – it’s automated and it’s free. All you need to do is enter your name and address (because Representatives ignore communications unless they come from constituents) – the system does the rest.

**Do it today.**

This year the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated a one-year demonstration project titled “Demonstration of Improved Quality of Care for Cancer Patients Undergoiong Chemotherapy.” The focus of the project was on measuring patient outcomes in three areas of concern often cited by patients undergoing chemotherapy: controlling pain, minimizing nausea and vomiting, and reducing fatigue.

October 6, 2005 H.Res. 261, a resolution introduced by Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-4) on May 4, 2005, passed the U.S. House of Representives in a voice vote. At the time of its passage the resolution had 33 cosponsors.

The purpose of the resolution, described in the title, was to express

>”the sense of the House of Representatives that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should be commended for implementing the Medicare demonstration project to assess the quality of care of cancer patients undergoiong chemotherapy, and should extend the project through 2006, subject to any appropriate modifications.”

Rep. Hall said the following about the need to extend this demonstration project in a floor statement he made the day of the resolution passed:

>”Delivering cancer treatment involves more than simply providing chemotherapy drugs. Oncologists need to plan drug regimens, educate caregivers, and monitor patient symptoms. They are responsible for managing pain, minimizing nausea, and limiting fatigue.

>”The demonstration project was critically important to protecting quality cancer care in 2005. It provided resources to assess the patient experience with chemotherapy side effects, including pain, nausea, and fatigue. The project has achieved three important objectives: collecting data to improve the quality of cancer care, maintaining stability in the cancer care delivery system, and focusing limited resources in an aspect of cancer treatment most difficult for patients.”

CMS conducts and sponsors a number of demonstrations projects to test and measure the effect of potential program changes.

The Colorectal Cancer Coalition is pleased to announce that we have joined forces with the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT), a nationwide coalition of private, public and volunteer organizations who work together to advance the control of colorectal cancer. Through coordinated efforts and improved communication, NCCRT:

* Strengthens the network of public and private organizations concerned
with promoting colorectal cancer screening
* Determines clinical and consumer barriers to screening through research
* Assesses current public awareness of and interest in screening
* Develops and disseminates health messages.

C3 remains focused on our mission to reduce the suffering and death due to colorectal cancer through pushing policy, research and awareness. We look forward to working with NCCRT in a combined effort to prove that colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable!

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) will host the National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health on January 9-11, 2006 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The Summit is part of the Office of Minority Health’s (OMH) broader initiative to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. The landmark 1985 Report of the HHS Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health created OMH and served as an impetus for addressing health inequalities for racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. This Summit marks the 20th year since the establishment of OMH and is intended to promote best practices and collaborative actions that are vital to improving minority health in the future.

1. Highlight current and emerging research and related efforts to illuminate understanding of and solutions to eliminating racial/ethnic disparities in health;
2. Showcase promising practices, models that work and lessons learned;
3. Assess racial and ethnic minority community needs, strengths, and actions necessary to close the disparity gaps; and
4. Develop recommendations and strategies for future directions.

The Summit is designed around the following six tracks:

1. Health Care Access, Utilization, and Quality;
2. Healthcare and the Public Health Workforce;
3. Research, Data, and Evaluation;
4. Health Information Technology;
5. Health Disparities Across the Lifespan; and
6. Culture, Language, and Health Literacy.

It is expected that the Summit will bring together over 2200 leaders from all levels of government, academia, public health, mental health, minority-serving institutions, and minority communities to advance key issues and opportunities for improving minority health and closing the health gap. Information on the upcoming Summit can be accessed on the OMH’s summit website.

The Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking applicants to fill appointments to the Director’s Council of Public Representatives (COPR). Applications are due October 31, 2005 and are available online at http://copr.nih.gov/application.asp. New members will be appointed in April 2006.

The COPR advises the NIH Director on cross-cutting issues related to medical research and health issues of public interest that ultimately promote individual, family, and community health. Examples of such broad issues the Council has been invloved with include public trust in the research enterprise, public input and participation at the NIH, enhancing public awareness and education about NIH, clinical trails recruitment issues, and aspects of the NIH Roadmap, such as reengineering the clinical research enterprise.

The COPR consists of up to 21 individuals who are selected from among the diverse communities that benefit from, and have an interest in, NIH research, programs, and activities. Members typically serve on the COPR for three years. To be considered for the COPR, applicants must have some interest in the work of the NIH and must be in a position to communicate regularly with the broader public about COPR and NIH activities. Applicants must also be willing to fully participate in biannual COPR meetings, regular conference calls, and working group activities throughout the year.

For more information or to obtain an application online, visti the COPR Web site at http://copr.nih.gov/application.asp. To request an application by mail, contact the COPR Resource Staff by phone at (301) 650-8660, Ext. 129, by fax at (301) 650-8676, or by e-mail at COPR1@palladianpartners.com.

Applications are due on October 31, 2005. The next COPR meeting, on October 25, 2005, includes on the agenda a discussion on “exploring the inclusion and preparation of public members in the peer review process” and public trust in the research process. For details, visit http://www.copr.nih.gov/.