National Lobby Day 2020

VBCF volunteer advocates participated in the first-ever virtual National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) Lobby Day on June 16th. Traveling virtually to Capitol Hill was certainly a different way to connect with Virginia’s elected officials, but it was a great experience! Luckily, there were few technical glitches and the group met with several Representatives and their staff using Zoom and group phone calls. We are happy to report that as a result of our efforts, as of July 14, both Representative Morgan Griffith (R-9th) and Representative Elaine Luria (D-2nd) have signed on to be co-sponsors of one of our priority bills: H.R.2178, The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (more below).

VBCF advocates met with the following offices: Representative Morgan Griffith (R-9th) and his staff; Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-10th) and her staff; Christina Ingram, Health Aide for Representative Bobby Scott (D-3rd); Nigel Stinson, Legislative Aide for Senator Tim Kaine; and Dominque Wardell, Health Aide for Representative Elaine Luria (D-2nd).

During the meetings, VBCF advocates shared their experiences with breast cancer and made the case for several key priority issues including:

Funding for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (DoD BCRP)  – Advocates asked legislators to support $150 million in funding for FY2021 for this innovative and effective research program. Several VA legislators have already signed onto a letter of support for this funding: Rep. Bobby Scott (D-3rd), Rep. Donald McEachin (D-4th), Rep Abigail Spanberger (D-7th), Wexton (D-10th), Rep. Beyer (D-8th), Rep. Connolly (D-11th). Advocates asked legislators to support this level of funding for DOD BCRP when it’s time to vote for the FY2021 appropriations bill later this summer.

Support for the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R. 2178; S. 1374). This bill would waive the waiting periods for Medicare and Social Security Disability benefits for those with metastatic breast cancer. Both the House and Senate bills have bipartisan support and several VA legislators are already co-sponsors of the House bill (Rep. Donald McEachin (D-4th), Rep Abigail Spanberger, Rep. Connolly (D-11th). Advocates asked legislators to help get these bills moving in Congress by becoming a co-sponsor. The good news is that several seemed inclined to do so. VBCF will be following up in the coming weeks to secure their commitments. UPDATE 7/14/20: Representative Morgan Griffith and Representative Elaine Luria have both signed on to be co-sponsors of this bill. Great work, advocates!

Our sincere thanks to all our volunteer advocates who took the time to participate in NBCC National Lobby Day with us. They helped us have engaging, productive meetings with legislators. Thank you for your commitment!

For more information on how to get involved with VBCF’s advocacy work, contact kirsta@vbcf.org and sign up for our Advocacy Action Alerts

 

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