Skip to main content

Commentary: Rep. Walden Reflects on Federal Healthcare Priorities

Landmark Childhood Cancer Prevention Legislation Signed into Law
June 13, 2018

The most comprehensive childhood cancer prevention legislation Congress has ever passed was signed into law last week. The Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act will help advance both research and treatments for pediatric cancer, and I was proud to help send this bill to the President’s desk.

The Childhood Cancer STAR Act reauthorizes the National Childhood Cancer Registry, supports childhood cancer biorepositories, improves the tracking of cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults, and will improve pediatric cancer survivorship care. This landmark legislation will improve both treatment of children currently battling cancer, and quality of life for the young survivors who have beaten this terrible disease. To learn more about this legislation, please click here.

The Childhood Cancer STAR Act was not the only bill I supported that was signed into law recently to help patients battling serious illnesses.

Terminal Patients Receive a ‘Right to Try’

Congress passed and the President signed into law legislation to give the millions of patients who are courageously facing a terminal diagnosis the right to try promising investigative treatments and therapies. The Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Mathew Bellina Right to Try Act, which will give patients with life threatening illnesses the opportunity to pursue life-saving treatments.

Oregon is one of 39 states that already have Right to Try laws to help vulnerable patients. The Right to Try Act will create an alternative pathway to investigational treatments and therapies for patients who do not qualify for a clinical trial, giving them needed access to potentially life-saving medicines. This legislation also ensures that proper safeguards are in place to protect patient safety, such as strong informed consent requirements and reporting requirements for alternative drug makers. To learn more about this legislation, please click here.

We have made progress to boost medical research through the 21st Century Cures Act, provided historic extensions for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, fully funded community health centers, and combatted the opioid crisis. The Childhood Cancer STAR Act and Right to Try Act are two more important laws that will help improve outcomes for patients in our state and country.

Olympic Leaders Pressed for Answers about Preventing Sexual Abuse

By now, most of us have heard of the abhorrent abuse of Olympic athletes at the hands of Dr. Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to prison recently because of his crimes. This case shed light on a broader problem within the U.S. Olympic community, which is why I held a hearing with Olympic leaders to examine whether they are doing enough to protect athletes at all levels of sport from abuse.

I have led a months-long investigation into the United States Olympic Community (USOC) related to the management, handling, and prevention of sexual abuse. Throughout our investigation, we’ve heard from numerous survivors whose stories followed one disturbing theme: when they sought help after physical abuse at the hands of people in power, they felt silenced by those who are supposed to protect them. That is unacceptable.

That’s why I pressed Olympic leaders during our hearing about their plans to do more to prioritize athlete safety and protection over medals and money. For more information and a complete webcast of our hearing, please click here.

As Oregon Veterans Visit Nation’s Capital, Congress Works to Improve Their Care

Last week, I was honored to welcome 25 Oregon veterans -- brave Americans who served in World War II and the Korean War -- to Washington, D.C. to see their memorials on the National Mall. These veterans represented every branch of our nation’s military, and represent the best of what our country has to offer.

While we can never repay the debt of gratitude owed to these heroes, we can do everything in our power to ensure they are receiving the care and support they deserve at the VA. That’s why I was proud to support the VA MISSION Act as it passed through Congress and was signed into law last week. This legislation improves access to care for our veterans, funds the Choice program, and expands the caregivers program for pre-9/11 veterans. All of this is paramount to bolstering the VA and making sure our veterans can access care in their communities.

I am also pleased to report that the VA MISSION Act included my plan to improve the timeliness of care for Oregon veterans. The VA Medical Scribe Pilot Act, a bill I helped write with House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe, will set up a pilot program for including medical assistants – known as scribes – into the VA system. Research in the private sector has shown that allowing scribes to handle paperwork and electronic record keeping can increase the number of patients a doctor can see per hour by 59%. The VA Medical Scribe Pilot Act will bring that success to our veterans at the VA.

The VA MISSION Act received the President’s Signature on the 74th anniversary of D-Day, which demonstrates our gratefulness for the bravery and sacrifices of those who have worn our nation’s uniform. To learn more about our legislation -- which was supported by major veterans organizations across the country -- please click here.

If you or a loved one is having a problem with the VA or any other federal agency, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Last year, I helped more than 1,100 people resolve individual issues with federal agencies. You can reach my office toll free from the 541 area code at 800-533-3303. Please know that my team and I are here to serve you, and we will do everything possible to help.

If you’d like to know more about the work that’s getting done, I encourage you to sign up for my eNewsletters so you can stay up to date on more work at home and in Washington D.C. by going to my website here.

Comments