Cancer Legislation - Federal Government

Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends federal law to provide that, in the case of an employee in fire protection activities: (1) heart disease, lung disease, specified cancers and infectious diseases shall be presumed to be proximately caused by the employee's employment; (2) the disability or death of an employee in fire protection activities due to such a disease shall be presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the performance of such employee's duty; and (3) such presumptions may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence.

Calls for establishment of a National Kidney Cancer Awareness Month.

Disapproves a specified rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to Medicare coverage for the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in cancer and related neoplastic conditions.

Declares that such rule shall have no force or effect.

Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends federal law to provide that, with regard to an employee in fire protection activities: (1) heart disease, lung disease, specified cancers and infectious diseases shall be presumed to be proximately caused by the employee's employment; (2) the disability or death of an employee in fire protection activities due to such a disease shall be presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the performance of such employee's duty; and (3) such presumptions may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence.

Disapproves a specified rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to Medicare coverage for the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in cancer and related neoplastic conditions.

Declares that such rule shall have no force or effect.

Congratulates the American Association for Cancer Research on its 100-year anniversary celebration. Expresses gratitude for the Association's contributions toward progress in advancing cancer research.

Declares the month of May to be National Cancer Research Month to support the Association's public education efforts to make cancer research a national and international priority.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should: (1) begin an immediate reconsideration of the final National Coverage Determination on the Use of Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents in Cancer and Related Neoplastic Conditions (CAG-000383N); (2) consult with members of the clinical oncology community to determine appropriate revisions to it: and (3) implement such revisions as soon as feasible, and brief Congress in advance of announcing such changes.

Calls for Congress to support: (1) efforts to promote awareness about the incidence, symptoms, and options for treatment of, and long-term follow-up for, cancer among children; (2) increased investment in childhood cancer research; (3) incentives to encourage medical trainees and investigators to enter the field of pediatric oncology; (4) incentives to encourage the development of drugs and biologics designed to treat pediatric cancers; (5) policies that encourage participation in clinical trials; (6) medical education curricula designed to improve pain management for cancer patients; and (7) enhanced education, services, and other resources related to late effects from treatment.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates September 13, 2008, as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day.

Recognizes the human toll of cancer. Pledges to make its prevention and cure a public health priority.

Medicare IVIG Access Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, upon collection of data and completion of a review, to provide, if appropriate, to physicians and hospitals furnishing intravenous immune globulins (IVIGs), an additional payment for all items related to the furnishing of IVIG in an appropriate amount.

Provides for coverage of IVIG administered in the home.

Makes disposable drug delivery systems, including elastomeric infusion pumps, for the treatment of colorectal cancer “durable medical equipment” for Medicare purposes.

Calls for establishment of a National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.

Applauds the actions of medical professionals and others who strive to combat and raise public awareness of brain tumors and brain cancer.