HOUSE MEMORIAL 36

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL BUREAU OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE NEW MEXICO CANCER CARE ALLIANCE TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO RECOMMEND WAYS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS TO ALL PARTS OF THE STATE.

     WHEREAS, approximately one million five hundred thousand new cancer cases were diagnosed in the United States in 2008, including eight thousand two hundred sixty new cases in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, over five hundred sixty-five thousand Americans die of cancer each year, including three thousand three hundred ten New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease; and

     WHEREAS, all aspects of cancer treatment should be available to all New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, for patients for whom standard cancer treatments are no longer effective, the best cancer therapies offered through clinical research must be accessible to New Mexico patients; and

     WHEREAS, engaging in a clinical trial system that allows patients to remain in their homes and receive care from a familiar physician is cost-effective and easy on the patient; and

     WHEREAS, cancer clinical trials are not available in many rural areas of the state;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the chronic disease prevention and control bureau of the department of health and the New Mexico cancer care alliance be requested to convene a working group; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group include representatives of the chronic disease prevention and control bureau of the department of health, the medical assistance division of the human services department, the New Mexico cancer care alliance, the rural issues workgroup of the university of New Mexico cancer center and the New Mexico cancer council, a representative from an insurance health plan, at least three medical oncologists who participate in clinical trials, a rural practitioner and a primary care physician; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group identify gaps in current patient access to cancer clinical trials, identify and investigate methods to expand cancer clinical trials to areas of the state where they are currently unavailable and identify potential funding sources for expansion of services; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group present its recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee by October 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of health, the secretary of human services and the president of the New Mexico cancer care alliance.

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