Our Legislative Priorities

The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network helps serve as a voice for those impacted by bladder cancer.  Since 2005, we have been strong advocates for our community.

Our legislative priorities include:

Increase federal research funding for bladder cancer

BCAN supports efforts to increase the budget of the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute as well as efforts to prioritize bladder cancer which is #6 is diagnosis but in the mid-20s in Federal funding.

BCAN is working to establish a permanent $8M annual funding designation within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.

Ensure that pre-existing conditions continue to be covered by insurance without new increases in cost or limits

BCAN will fight to ensure that pre-existing conditions continue to be covered, regardless of the direction Congress moves with any new or improved Federal healthcare legislation.   

Eliminate surprise billing including unreasonable out of network charges

BCAN supports the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) new billing protections.

Access to Care

BCAN fights to ensure that all Americans, regardless of income, geographic location, age, pre-existing condition, or any other criteria, can access affordable, high quality healthcare.  We support an increase delivery of healthcare systems in rural areas as well as a patient’s right to choose their own doctor.

Increase the Supply and Availability of BCG

BCAN supports continued cooperation between the Federal government (FDA) and our nation’s sole producer of BCG to immediately increase the supply of BCG for bladder cancer patients.

Prescription Drug Costs

BCAN supports continued negotiation and limits to the costs of life saving medications.  We take no stand on the mechanism to reduce costs but insist that cost controls part of any major healthcare legislation considered by Congress.

E-Cigs and Vaping

BCAN supports federal efforts to curtail the availability and variety of E-Cig and Vaping, especially when it comes to targeted advertising and flavoring for minors.

Drug Parity

BCAN supports Congressional efforts to bring about drug parity so that costs can be normalized and controlled regardless of the means by which a drug is administered.

Encourage diversity in clinical trials

BCAN is supportive of H.R. 5030/S. 2706 would allow trial sponsors to reimburse patients for nonmedical costs associated with their trial participation (e.g., travel, parking, food, and lodging). It also would allow trial sponsors to provide patients with technology necessary to facilitate remote participation in clinical trials and require the Department of Health and Human Services to create guidance on the use of decentralized trials to increase trial diversity.

Reduce Insurance Barriers to Treatment

BCAN supports efforts to reduce the myriad of insurance barriers that get in the way of patient care including drug parity, reduced out of pocket expenses, surprise billing, and enhanced coverage.

Increase Awareness of Bladder Cancer

BCAN continues to work to increase bladder cancer awareness in both the public and the federal government to ensure that bladder cancer patients can receive the priority they deserve in treatment, research, and care.

Permanent expansion of telehealth services

Patients have benefited greatly from the flexibilities in care granted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of telehealth services reduces the burden on patients that are required to
travel significant distances to see a urologist healthcare provider who may opt to forgo necessary medical care. It also allows patients to receive care that does not require a face-to-face visit or exam in a location that is more convenient to them, potentially increasing patient compliance with medical recommendations and improving outcomes. BCAN supports efforts currently underway to keep the regulations to support telehealth that were set up during the height of the pandemic, which are set to expire when the COVID-19 public health emergency concludes.