© 1999 by Oxford University Press
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 91, No. 1, 19-20,
January 6, 1999
© 1999 Oxford University Press
NEWS |
Adjournment of the 105th Congress
Missed budget deadlines for many of fiscal year 1999 spending bills prompted Congress to delay adjournment, originally scheduled for Oct. 9, to Oct. 21. After 8 days of closed door negotiations, Congress and the White House agreed to pass the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1999, lumping a number of outstanding measures into one big package.
The act provides the National Cancer Institute with $2.9 billion, a 15.1% increase over the FY 1998 appropriation. The bill also includes $20 billion in off-budget emergency spending and tax credits for research and development.
The election brought little turnover in either the House or Senate. The incoming House gives
the GOP a slim majority with a shift of five Republican seats to the Democrats (R-223, D-211,
I-1). In the Senate, the breakdown stands as it did in the last Congress (R-55, D-45). Only seven
of the 401 House members seeking reelection will not return. Three of the 34 senators up for
reelection were defeated — Alfonse D'Amato (R-N.Y.), Lauch Faircloth (R-N.C.)
and Carol Moseley-Braun (D-Ill.).
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Political analysts have indicated that these changes in both Houses constitute a shift to a more centrist-minded Congress. The general consensus among political analysts is that gridlock will occur among both Houses when controversial legislation is brought up for debate.
When it convenes on Jan. 6, 1999, the next Congress will face many issues affecting the National Institutes of Health and NCI. Both Houses are expected to address many of the same health-related issues that were debated in the last Congress, such as managed care reform. Bills aimed at controlling the cost of prescription drugs are also expected to be reintroduced.
Despite anticipated gridlock on controversial issues, many of the concerns NCI anticipates will emerge in the next Congress have bipartisan support. These include increased support for research in prostate, pediatric, breast, and ovarian cancers. Of particular concern to returning members of both Houses are the disparities found in comparing incidence and mortality rates of many types of cancer between the general population and minorities, women, and the underserved.
Extensive congressional debate is expected to occur on patient and genetic information privacy and other patients' rights, as well as issues related to access to and health coverage for clinical trials. The administration is expected to reintroduce a proposal that would accomplish Medicare coverage for clinical trials for older Americans without harming the Medicare Trust Fund.
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