Biden’s Science Adviser Slams Critics Who Scoffed At Cancer ‘Moonshot’
In an interview with STAT, White House adviser Eric Lander argued that the new plan is “audacious” even though it doesn't mention cancer “cures” and doesn’t ask for new research money.
Stat:
Lander: New Cancer Plan ‘More Ambitious By Far’ Than Original Moonshot
A more modest cancer moonshot? Not so fast, says Eric Lander. The White House science adviser pushed back on the many characterizations of the new effort as smaller and less ambitious than the 2016 push, in an interview with STAT this week. Lander stressed that the current effort shouldn’t be viewed as an attempt to scale back the federal government’s cancer-curing ambitions. Even though it makes no mention of cancer “cures,” and doesn’t call for new research money, Lander argued the new plan is “audacious.” (Facher, 2/4)
Politico:
Biden's Relaunched Cancer Moonshot Needs Funding For Liftoff
President Joe Biden’s reignited moonshot to halve cancer deaths, improve care and eventually end the disease gives a lift to one of his longest-held and most personal goals — but the mission hasn’t been refueled. Missing from the ambitious plan to boost screening, reduce inequities and strengthen prevention efforts is a funding boost to the existing moonshot, which is in the sixth year of a $1.8 billion, seven-year allotment from Congress. (Owermohle, 2/3)
In other news from the Biden administration —
Stat:
As Telehealth Expands, Biden Administration Looks Closely At Who Benefits
Telemedicine companies will tell you the pandemic has ushered in a new era of connected health across America. But the Biden administration wants a closer look at whether technology is the thing making the strongest connection. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on Thursday launched a roundtable series to examine which pandemic-driven innovations are worth keeping and which may only reinforce the divide between the haves and have-nots. (Ross, 2/3)
KHN:
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Paging The HHS Secretary
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is becoming a target for both Democrats and Republicans over what they call a lack of coordination of covid efforts within his department. But at the same time, officials from the Biden administration have made it clear from the start that the covid campaign would be orchestrated by the White House, so it’s not clear whether the secretary was supposed to play a major role. Meanwhile, as covid cases decline, covid-weary politicians and the public are pushing to ease the latest round of restrictions. But those with compromised immune systems and other disabilities fear they could pay the price. (2/3)
And on Capitol Hill —
Las Vegas Review-Journal:
Senators Want Chemical Cleanup At Military Bases
A growing concern about contamination from “forever chemicals” has prompted a bipartisan group of senators from Nevada and other states to urge President Joe Biden to make testing and cleanup a budget priority. The senators, including Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, both Nevada Democrats, are asking the Biden administration to budget funds for increased testing, cleanup efforts and research on chemicals used by the military, airports and industrial plants that pose health risks. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, used in foam to extinguish petroleum-based fires, has been detected at all Nevada military bases and in groundwater at both Creech and Nellis Air Force bases near Las Vegas. (Martin, 2/3)
Stat:
Lawmakers Grill Key FDA Official Over Alzheimer’s Drug Approval
The Food and Drug Administration can’t escape questions about Aduhelm. Patrizia Cavazzoni, one of the agency’s highest-ranking drug regulators, set out to testify before Congress Thursday on the intricacies of three looming funding bills crucial to the agency’s operations. But again and again, lawmakers grilled her about Biogen’s controversial Alzhiemer’s drug. One lawmaker, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), even joined the meeting just to chide Cavazzoni, even though she’s not a member of the subcommittee that held the hearing. (Florko, 2/3)
The New York Times:
F.D.A. Nominee Faces Steep Climb To Senate Confirmation
The White House is facing pressure from prominent lawmakers over its pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration, with abortion foes urging Republican senators to reject the nominee, Dr. Robert Califf, and with key Democrats withholding support over opioid policies and his industry ties. Nearly six years after Dr. Califf received overwhelming bipartisan support to lead the agency in the final year of the Obama administration, lawmakers and aides are struggling to lock up the votes he needs to clear an evenly divided Senate, where Vice President Kamala Harris serves as the tiebreaking vote. (Jewett and Cochrane, 2/3)
