Contact your Legislator and ask them to support

HOUSE BILL No. 1299: Breast Cancer Research Fund

HB1299: Breast Cancer Research Fund
HB 1299 UNANIMOUSLY passes out of the House Public Health Committee on January 14, 2025.
NEXT STEP: Ways & Means Committee
Currently, HB1299 is not on the Ways & Means Committee schedule. If they do not hear it, this bill dies and the breast cancer research fund will not be established. Please contact your legislator and urge them to have HB1299 heard.

Over 6000 Hoosiers will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. More than 900 will die from this disease. Members of the breast cancer and research communities as well as the organizations listed below are calling on members of the Indiana House of Representatives to vote “YES” to HB 1299.

House Bill No. 1299 creates a program to provide grants to cancer centers in Indiana to bring more breast cancer research projects and clinical trials to Indiana by creating the Breast Cancer Research Fund. The fund is modeled after an indiana fund that provides tobacco master settlement dollars for sickle cell anemia research, so the precendent is in place for using that fund for programs not directly tied to tobacco use. This initiative represents a critical investment in advancing cutting-edge research, improving health outcomes for Hoosiers, and positioning Indiana as a leader in the fight against breast cancer.

Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center on the IU Indianapolis campus has been awarded a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation which means it is a national leader in cancer treatment and research. Other institutions that share this designation include the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins. NCI stated that the renewal of this designation could be in jeopardy because Indiana does not provide any state funding for cancer research. The majority of states that have NCI designated research centers provide public dollars for research, and this bill will put Indiana into the majority of states funding cancer research.

Here are additional key points that highlight the importance of supporting this legislation:

Saving Hoosier Lives: Investment in breast cancer research leads to earlier detection, more effective treatments, and ultimately, higher survival rates. By dedicating resources to innovative research, we can reduce the burden of breast cancer on Indiana families and communities.

Economic Impact of Research Innovation: Funding cutting-edge research will attract top scientists and medical professionals to Indiana, fostering innovation and collaboration. Indiana’s renowned research institutions and universities are well-equipped to leverage this funding to advance discoveries, secure federal research grants, and enhance our state’s reputation as a hub for biomedical research.

Cost Savings for Healthcare: Early detection and improved treatments resulting from research initiatives reduce long-term healthcare costs associated with late-stage cancer care. This not only alleviates financial strain on patients and families but also reduces the burden on Indiana’s healthcare system.

Job Creation and Economic Growth: Investing in breast cancer research has the potential to create high-paying jobs in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. Additionally, clinical trials and research projects often bring significant funding and related economic activity to local communities.

Enhancing Quality of Life for Hoosiers: The establishment of this fund demonstrates Indiana’s commitment to prioritizing public health and improving quality of life. This initiative will inspire hope and provide critical resources to those affected by breast cancer.