SUPPORT CANCER PREVENTION TREATMENT

WHEREAS, over one-third of all Americans will develop cancer during their lifetimes; and

WHEREAS, there are more than 100 types of cancer (such as breast, prostate, liver, brain, lung cancer, and many others) that affect millions of men, women, and children; and

WHEREAS, U.S. Conference of Mayors policies are dedicated to increasing public awareness and saving lives by promoting informed decision making about screening and treatment programs regardless of race and socio-economic background; and

WHEREAS, there is overwhelming public support for prevention, early screening, and access to proper treatment programs for all types of cancer; and

WHEREAS, cancer treatments create an economic burden on families, employers, and all levels of government; and

WHEREAS, federal government spending on cancer treatment continues to escalate despite growing research supporting the long-term economic gains with the use of effective, rapid cancer therapies that quickly lead to individual self-sufficiency and improved health; and

WHEREAS, mayors should support increased public awareness concerning the use of safer and more effective treatment therapies; and

WHEREAS, the expansion of highly effective therapy centers will create permanent jobs and promote economic development in cities of all sizes; and

WHEREAS, there is limited access to safe and highly effective treatment facilities in the United States thus denying access to millions of cancer patients that would have shortened recovery periods and increase survivability; and

WHEREAS, historical precedents exist for the federal government to provide financial support for the construction of cancer therapy facilities; and

WHEREAS, these government-funded facilities have become financially successful local economic engines;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the federal government and Congress to provide financial support to municipalities to develop public and private partnerships to construct state-of-the-art therapy facilities that are safe and highly effective;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the federal government should seek to incentivize the expansion of treatment facilities that are highly effective utilizing innovative, proven and leading edge technologies, such as proton and other particle therapies, among others.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the federal government develops innovative financing programs to assist local governments and that will reduce federal spending long term while stimulating local economies, and creating permanent jobs for cities of all sizes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that expansion of safe and highly effective cancer treatment facilities will save the lives of millions of children, women, and men and promote more equitable access to effective health care in the United States.