(NAPSI)—When it comes to federal spending, the majority of Americans want Congress to make increasing medical research funding a high priority.
A recent national poll conducted by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) found very high levels of support for federal funding for medical and cancer research across the electorate.
Highlights of the survey include:
•89% of voters favor the federal government using taxpayer dollars to fund medical research to fight diseases and improve public health.
•71% of voters think increasing federal funding for medical research should be a top congressional priority.
•72% of voters who believe reducing the national debt and federal spending should be a top congressional priority also think increasing medical research funding should be a “high” or “highest” priority issue for Congress.
•83% of voters, including 75% each of independents, Republicans, and MAGA supporters and 93% of Democrats, favor increasing federal funding for cancer research.
•Voters have high levels of confidence in cancer researchers and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to act in the best interests of the public. 71% of survey respondents express a “great deal” or “quite a bit” of confidence in cancer researchers, while 65% express a “great deal” or “quite a bit” of confidence in NCI.
•77% of voters say they would feel more favorable toward their congressional representative if he or she voted to increase federal funding for cancer research over the next decade.
Funding Leads to Progress for Patients
“As these survey results demonstrate, the American public strongly supports robust federal funding for medical and cancer research,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of the AACR. “Cancer affects everyone. Sustained and predictable investments in the National Institutes of Health and NCI are essential if we are to power new breakthroughs against cancer and other diseases and uphold a national commitment to the patients and families who are relying on lifesaving progress.”
