​FY 2023 budget proposes $2.5 billion increase for NIH and $408 million for NCI.

Early in the morning on Dec. 20 Congress released a proposed FY 2023 funding deal that includes an increase of $2.5 billion for biomedical research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $408 million more for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and provides a funding boost to cancer prevention programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Office on Smoking and Health. 

The deal also includes a five-year extension of additional federal funding for Medicaid in Puerto Rico and a permanent extension of additional Medicaid funding for the U.S. Territories and identifies an end-date for the Medicaid policy that allowed for continuous insurance coverage during the COVID public health emergency. The spending bill also includes a provision requiring the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to create permanent guidance on the use of decentralized clinical trials, which would reduce travel burdens and decrease barriers for patient participation in those trials.

The bill does not include bipartisan measures to create a pathway for Medicare to cover multi-cancer early detection tests once the Food and Drug Administration approves their use and clinical benefit is shown or improve access to palliative care.

“On behalf of the more than 1.9 million Americans who will be diagnosed with cancer this year, we appreciate Congress’ ongoing commitment to cancer research as well as efforts to protect access to care,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “We look forward to working with the incoming Congress to prioritize all of the ways in which we can improve the lives of cancer patients and their families.”

To view the full press release, visit ACS CAN website.