House Bills - 110th Congress

H. R. 7045 —The National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Act of 2008

On September 24, 2008, Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA) introduced H.R. 7045, the National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Act of 2008. The bill would amend the PHS Act to require the Secretary of HHS to establish a Pancreatic Cancer Initiative. The Secretary, through the Director of NIH, would be required to establish the Interdisciplinary Pancreatic Cancer Coordinating Committee. The Committee would advise on research objectives, develop a strategic plan, and evaluate and prioritize pancreatic cancer grant applications and recommend which ones should receive NIH funding. The bill would also require the Secretary, in consultation with NIH, CDC, and relevant patient advocate and physician organizations, to develop a primary care provider education program on pancreatic cancer as well as a communication tool kit for patients. A report to Congress would be due within one year of enactment that would include a summary of the Committee’s grant recommendations, a break down of grant awards in the past year relevant to pancreatic cancer research, and the number of grants awarded to young principal investigators. Finally, the bill would add a new section 409J to the PHS Act to establish a Cancer Research Incubator Pilot Project and authorize the establishment of two additional Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) focused exclusively on pancreatic cancer research. The bill would authorize $140 million for Fiscal Year 2009 and such sums as may be necessary (SSAN) for FYs 2010 through 2013 for the Initiative; $2 million for FY 2009 and SSAN for FYs 2010 through 2013 for the physician awareness program; $2 million for FY 2009 and SSAN for FYs 2010 through 2013 for the communication tool kit; $5 million for FY 2009 and SSAN for FYs 2010 through 2013 for the Incubator Pilot Project; and $20 million for the additional SPOREs for FY 2009 and SSAN for FYs 2010 through 2013. H.R. 7045 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Legislative Update (October 2008): National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Act of 2008