Legislative Action Network
Cancer and Health Legislation Milestones
1937: National Cancer Institute Act signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
On August 5, 1937, the National Cancer Institute Act, P.L. 244, 75th Congress, was signed by President Roosevelt, "To provide for, foster, and aid in coordinating research relating to cancer; to establish the National Cancer Institute; and for other purposes." An appropriation of $700,000 for each fiscal year was authorized.
1971: National Cancer Act signed by President Nixon
On December 23, 1971, President Nixon signed P.L. 92-218 — the National Cancer Act of 1971, providing increased authorities and responsibilities for the NCI director; initiating a National Cancer Program; establishing a three-member President's Cancer Panel and a 23-member National Cancer Advisory Board, the latter replacing the National Advisory Cancer Council; authorizing the establishment of 15 new research, training, and demonstration cancer centers; establishing cancer control programs as necessary for cooperation with state and other health agencies in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer; and providing for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of all data useful in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, including the establishment of an international cancer data research bank.
1990: Americans with Disabilities Act signed by President George H.W. Bush
On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 — the first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities, which prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.
1993: Family and Medical Leave Act signed by President William J. Clinton
On February 5, 1993, President Clinton signed into law the Family and Medical Leave Act. The Law requires certain employers to allow employees to take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave in any twelve-month period in the event of their own serious medical issues or to take care of a family member.
1996: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act signed by President William J. Clinton
On August 21, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, providing for portability and continuity of health insurance coverage and requiring the adoption of security and privacy standards to protect personal health information.
2002: Massachusetts legislature passes an Act Providing for Insurance Coverage of Certain Clinical Trials
Approved on August 10, 2002, the Act mandates that "[a]ny policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance issued, delivered or renewed within the commonwealth shall cover and reimburse for patient care services provided pursuant to a qualified clinical trial to the same extent as they would be covered and reimbursed if the patient did not receive care in a qualified clinical trial."
2006: Massachusetts legislature passes an Act Providing Access to Affordable, Quality, Accountable Health Care, including provision for a Pediatric Palliative Care Program
Approved on April 12, 2006, the Act established a pediatric palliative care program with an $800,000 appropriation to "assist eligible children with a life-limiting illness and their families or guardians with services designed to achieve an improved quality of life and to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs experienced during the course of illness, death and bereavement."
