Boyle & Fitzpatrick Celebrate House Passage of Bill to Study and Prevent Lung Cancer Among Women

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA-02) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) announced that the House of Representatives has passed their bipartisan legislation, the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act. The bill aims to address the unique impact of lung cancer on women through enhanced research, preventive services, and public awareness. It now moves to the Senate for consideration, where Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tina Smith (D-MN) are leading efforts to advance the companion bill.

"Today marks a significant step forward in our fight against lung cancer," said Congressman Boyle. "Every eight minutes, an American woman loses her life to lung cancer. This bill, now passed by the House, represents a crucial stride toward addressing the disparities that persist in lung cancer prevention and treatment, particularly for women. I'm proud to work alongside my colleagues in ensuring that our government prioritizes focused research and action to confront this devastating disease."

(Click for video of Rep. Boyle's floor speech.Click here to download video.)

"Today's passage of the bipartisan Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventative Services Act sends a powerful and undeniable message: Congress is fully committed to ending the inequities that have left too many women in my community and across the nation vulnerable to this devastating disease," said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. "This legislation represents a decisive step forward in advancing groundbreaking research, improving prevention, and ensuring access to lifesaving care for women battling lung cancer. I thank my colleagues for recognizing the urgency of this fight and standing united to deliver real progress for women's health across our nation."

"GO2 for Lung Cancer extends our gratitude to Representatives Boyle and Fitzpatrick as leaders of the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventative Services Act," said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, president and CEO of GO2 for Lung Cancer. "For more than a decade, women with lung cancer have waited for this action. The passage of this legislation is significant because it demonstrates that we have elevated conversations about the unique and devastating impact of lung cancer on women. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will transform survivorship for women impacted by the disease."

The Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs, to conduct an interagency review. This review will evaluate current research on women and lung cancer, improve access to preventive services, and launch public awareness campaigns about the disease. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among women and disproportionately affects women who have never smoked.

The full text of the bill is available here.

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