RELEASE: Gottheimer Announces New Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Access to Life-Saving Lung Cancer Detection and Care

Above: Gottheimer joins local leaders, advocates, and lung cancer researchers to announce new bipartisan legislation during Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

ENGLEWOOD, NJ — Today, November 24, 2025, during Lung Cancer Awareness Month, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced new legislation to combat lung cancer, cut through red tape, streamline health care access, and increase funding for research into lung cancer.

Gottheimer’s New Legislation to Combat Lung Cancer:

• The Benay Taub Lung Cancer Research Act: This legislation will create a specialized federal task force made up members from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Health (NIH), and CDC’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program to address gaps in access to lung cancer screenings,  recommend best practices for early detection, and ensure sufficient funding. The bill is named after local lung cancer research advocate and board member of the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, Benay Taub of Demarest, NJ. Find the bill text here. 

• The IMPACT Act — Improving Medicaid Precision and Cancer Testing Act: This bipartisan bill extends Medicaid coverage for medically necessary biomarker testing for lung cancer, which helps fast-track the best possible treatment for patients specific to their type of lung cancer. The bill also fixes the nationwide patchwork where coverage varies by state, limiting access for many patients. This bill is co-led by Rep. John Rutherford (FL-5). Find the bill text here. 
• The Lung Cancer MAP Act — Lung Cancer Medicare Access to Precise Testing Act: This bipartisan bill cuts red tape, allows a streamline diagnosis for lung cancer patients to ensure they receive the fastest specialized treatment, and breaks down barriers that restrict testing only to later-staged cancer. This will help ensure that families on Medicare receive the proper treatments they need. This bill is co-led by Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-2). Find the bill text here. 
• The bipartisan Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act and the bipartisan Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act: Gottheimer is also supporting legislation to address the impact of lung cancer on women, improve access to preventive services, and launch public awareness campaigns about the disease across the country; as well as legislation to lower health care costs for families, expand access to lifesaving cancer screenings, and reduce barriers to preventive care by removing “prior authorization,” ensuring no-cost annual screenings under Medicaid. 

All three pieces of Gottheimer’s legislation are endorsed by the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, LiveLung, GO2 for Lung Cancer, LungCAN, and LUNGevity. 

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death both in the U.S. and globally, with about 2.5 million new cases diagnosed worldwide each year. Lung cancer claims more lives each year than breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined. Lung cancer also causes the most cancer deaths among New Jersey residents.

An estimated 226,650 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. in 2025. Overall, 1 in 16 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime — 1 in 16 men, and 1 in 17 women. 

Earlier this year, legislation was jammed through Congress and signed into law that slashed 57% of funding from Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), removing all funding for the only federal research program specifically dedicated to lung cancer research. Additionally, cuts to NIH, DoD, and the research workforce — driven by HHS Secretary Kennedy and DOGE — interrupted key clinical trials and investments for finding treatments and cures 

Video of Gottheimer’s announcement can be found here.

“There is a vicious killer that is tearing apart families, and too many do not even know that they’re at risk because they don’t think they ‘fit the profile.’ Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in America and across the globe — one in five cancer deaths are from lung cancer. With this month being Lung Cancer Awareness Month, I’m proud to announce new bipartisan action in our fight against lung cancer,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the Congressional Lung Cancer Caucus and the House Cancer Caucus. “This is not a partisan issue. Lung cancer doesn’t just affect Democrats or Republicans. It affects all families here in Jersey and across the country. No more cutting funding and kicking the can down the road. The cure is in front of us — but only if we increase investment.” 

“As a nurse practitioner and an advocate who has long championed healthcare issues, I’ve seen firsthand how critical early and accurate information is for patients awaiting diagnosis. I’m proud to join Rep. Gottheimer in introducing the Lung Cancer MAP Act to ensure Medicare beneficiaries have access to advanced bio marker testing that supports more precise and effective treatment,” said Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-2).

“When someone is diagnosed with lung cancer, time is of the essence to find an effective treatment plan,” said Congressman John Rutherford (FL-5). “Biomarker testing can help identify what treatment works best for a patient, saving valuable time and resources. I am happy to join Rep. Gottheimer in introducing the IMPACT Act to expand access to biomarker testing for lung cancer patients.” 

“Research, funding, screenings, and biomarker testing are key in saving lives and combating the deadliest cancer — lung cancer. I’ve learned firsthand how urgently we need greater awareness, deeper understanding, and significantly increased investment in lung cancer research. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Congressman Gottheimer for his unwavering support and leadership in introducing the Benay Taub Lung Cancer Research Act, the Improving Medicaid Precision and Cancer Testing (IMPACT) Act, and the Lung Cancer MAP (Medicare Access to Precise Testing) Act. His leadership is helping to close critical disparities in funding. Together, we are fighting for hope through action.  I’m honored to stand alongside him to fight for innovation that leads to groundbreaking treatments and brighter futures for everyone affected by this disease,” said Benay Taub, Lung Cancer Research Foundation board member and lung cancer research advocate.

“We thank Rep. Gottheimer for his work to prioritize lung cancer research and access to biomarker testing, which are two issues of great importance to the lung cancer community,” said Andrea Ferris, President and CEO of LUNGevity Foundation. “We look forward to working with Rep. Gottheimer and his colleagues to ensure that lung cancer research receives the attention and funding it deserves – and that everyone who can benefit from precision medicine has access to it.”

“We are grateful for Congressman Gottheimer’s commitment to ensuring better outcomes for people living with lung cancer,” says Aubrey Rhodes, Executive Director of the Lung Cancer Research Foundation. “Breakthroughs in tumor genetics have transformed lung cancer research, leading to personalized treatments that are helping people live longer than ever before. That’s why biomarker testing at diagnosis and throughout care is so important. When we can match the right therapy to the right tumor, outcomes improve. As survival continues to grow, so does the need for ongoing research to ensure every person with lung cancer receives the most effective treatment.”

“As a 20-year lung cancer survivor and advocate, I am so grateful for Congressman Gottheimer’s leadership. This legislation is exactly what we need to address the number one cancer killer. This legislation, if passed, has the potential to save tens of thousands of Americans. With a united voice, the lung cancer community will do our part to advocate for this initiative,” said Dusty Donaldson, the Executive Director of LiveLung and the President of the Lung Cancer Action Network.

Gottheimer was joined today by Lung Cancer Research Foundation board member and lung cancer research advocate Benay Taub, Englewood Health President and CEO Warren Geller, , Dr. Christos Stavropoulos of Englewood Health, Sheila Sullivan of the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, Dr. Upal Basu Roy of LUNGevity, LiveLung advocate Valarie Brown, Dusty Donaldson, Executive Director of LiveLung and President of the Lung Cancer Action Network (LungCAN), and New Jersey State Senator Gordon Johnson.

Below: Gottheimer announces new bipartisan legislation to boost access to life-saving lung cancer detection and care.

Gottheimer’s full remarks as prepared for delivery are below:

Good morning. There is a vicious killer that is tearing apart families, and too many do not even know that they’re at risk because they don’t think they “fit the profile.” And, as you just heard, there are not enough resources to get the word out to help families take precautions or to research treatments to combat this vicious disease.

So, with this month being Lung Cancer Awareness Month, I’m proud to be here in Englewood with so many dedicated advocates — including Benay Taub, Valarie Brown, and so many others — to say enough is enough. And, your enduring strength and perseverance in the face of cancer, and your work to help save the lives of others, is not just incredible, it’s inspirational. We must continue to stand by our families against this disease that is claiming too many American lives, and Jersey lives.

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in America and across the globe — one in five cancer deaths are from lung cancer. Every year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Let me say that again: more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Yet, the federal government, including the NCI, NIH and DOD invests just a fraction into lung cancer research compared to breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined. The private charity dollar investment is just as stark. 

For example, the Susan G. Komen Foundation raises an average of more than 100 million in donations a year, where the Lung Cancer Research Foundation receives, on average, just several million in donations a year. That’s I guess because of the stigma.

We all know smoking increases your risk of lung cancer, but here’s the thing that I believe impacts the research and charitable dollars — even if you don’t smoke, you’re still at risk. Nearly one in five of all lung cancer cases are diagnosed in someone who has never smoked. 

Many families get routine check-ups for mammograms and physicals as a part of their preventative health care, yet too many people don’t know that they should also get regularly screened for lung cancer.

Every 18 seconds, someone dies from lung cancer. That means that since I began speaking, roughly six people would have passed away. In fact, one in 16 people are diagnosed with lung cancer, which means nearly 227,000 will be diagnosed this year alone. It’s not just debilitating for those who have it — it can be flat-out deadly.

If not properly treated, lung cancer can cause severe chest pain, a persistent cough, shortness of breath, and it can lead to recurring infections like bronchitis and pneumonia that go away for a short time, just to rear their head again to further punish the lungs of those already suffering. My mom died of another lung disease called sarcoidosis — and, let me tell you, it’s nasty and unforgiving. Unlike sarcoidosis, with lung cancer, if we detect it early, we can do something about it.

Too many don’t get diagnosed until the disease spreads — when treatments are less effective and the survival rate is lower. Just sixteen percent of lung cancers are found at an early stage, where the survival rate is more than 60 percent. From 2018 to 2022, nearly half of all lung cancers were diagnosed after the cancer had spread from the lungs to other parts of the body. After having the disease for five years, the survival rate plummets — less than a third of people survive, and that number can drop as low as 8 percent if the cancer is found in a late stage.

This is not a partisan issue. Lung cancer doesn’t just affect Democrats or Republicans. It affects all families here in Jersey and across the country.

But, there are also some signs of hope. We know that here in Jersey, we are proud to be home to some of the best health care providers in the country, with the best doctors and researchers on the beat working on this issue. Today, the survival rate of Jersey residents with lung cancer is higher than the national average, and has increased by nearly twenty percent over the last five years! 

We can’t just take our foot off the gas if we want to continue this progress both in our state, and in our country.

Yet somehow, extremists in Congress don’t see it that way. Instead of ensuring our health care providers and families can get the help they need, last spring, the far-right jammed through a reckless funding bill that slashed 57 percent of funding from Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). This cut removed all funding for the only federal research program specifically dedicated to lung cancer research. 

Additionally, cuts to NIH, DoD, and the research workforce, driven by HHS Secretary Kennedy and DOGE, interrupted key clinical trials and investments for finding treatments and cures — they paused bio marker research and cancelled a study to improve access to cancer care for veterans was cancelled. It’s insane.

Why would we turn our backs on so many families who need these resources? Why would we block investments when we are actually making incredible progress, with cell-based therapies, CAR T, gene therapy, and AI-driven cures on the horizon? It doesn’t make sense. 

It’s just plain heartless to cut funding for a critical issue that is ripping apart families. Why would you slash funding even more? That’s why, today, we are standing together and fighting to ensure everyone knows to get screened, and to help ensure we support health care, research, and treatments to help families and save lives.

As a Member of the House Cancer Caucus and the Congressional Lung Cancer Caucus, I’m announcing new bipartisan action in our fight against lung cancer. And, I’m proud to say that all three pieces of new legislation that I’m announcing today are endorsed by the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, LiveLung, GO2, LungCAN, and LUNGevity.

First, we need everyone to come together to tackle lung cancer head-on. No more cutting funding and kicking the can down the road. The cure is in front of us — but only if we increase investment. 

That’s why I’m introducing the Benay Taub Lung Cancer Research Act to create a specialized task force led by Health and Human Services (HHS), and made up of members from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Health (NIH), and CDC’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.

This task force will look at exactly where the gaps are in access to lung cancer screenings and ways to further improve research funding. This will help tell us exactly what we need to do to finally help those who are suffering and help fund breakthrough technology to specifically combat lung cancer. 

And I’m proudly naming this bipartisan legislation after Benay, who is such a strong champion for addressing these critical issues. Benay, thank you for your courage, your fight, your strength, and your friendship. 

After we get the results, not only will I lead the charge to implement their recommendations on screening and increased funding, but I’m also calling on House and Senate leadership to restore lung cancer research funding that was recently cut by this year’s extremist funding bill. 

In the meantime, as we said, we know that lung cancer research is already being short-changed – and it’s always having to fight for its disproportionally small share of cancer funding. And, we know it’s the deadliest cancer — and that it gets far less funding than other cancers. Given that, while we wait for the final results of the study, I’ll also be putting in for an immediate additional 20 percent increase for lung cancer research. 

Second, we know that Medicaid provides life-saving care to those who rely on it. A study found that sixteen percent of those with lung cancer relied on Medicaid for treatments. So, I’m announcing bipartisan legislation with Congressman John Rutherford of Florida to strengthen this critical program. The Improving Medicaid Precision and Cancer Testing Act, or IMPACT Act — will make Medicaid include biomarker testing for lung cancer — which is critical for getting the most effective, specialized care for patients with lung cancer. 

Since biomarker testing can tell patients and their doctors the best treatment to fight against lung cancer, this will be critical in our fight to more effectively combat this disease. Cutting red tape for Medicaid patients will literally help save lives and streamline the best treatments. Here in Jersey, we already have legislation on the books to support biomarker testing, but every state should do it.  It’s common sense, and it saves lives.

Third, I am introducing the bipartisan Lung Cancer Medicare Access to Precise Testing Act, or the Lung Cancer MAP Act, with Congresswoman Jen Kiggans of Virginia. This will require Medicare to also include biomarker testing for patients with lung cancer, regardless of the stage of the disease, or if they received prior testing. This will help stop bureaucracy from preventing families who rely on Medicare from receiving the proper treatments they need. 

Families should not have to jump through hoops to get access to life-saving medical treatments that we already have available. Together, this will help save lives and get those with lung cancer the care, treatment, and reassurance they need and deserve.

Finally, I’m also sponsoring two other key bipartisan bills that are key to investment in lung cancer research and screenings.

The bipartisan Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act will review current research on women and lung cancer, improve access to preventive services, and launch public awareness campaigns about the disease across the country.

Also, the bipartisan Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act will help lower health care costs for families, expand access to lifesaving cancer screenings, and reduce barriers to preventive care by removing “prior authorization” for screenings. By removing “prior authorization” hurdles, this will ensure no-cost annual screenings under Medicaid and further help expand support for those with this disease.

With the health of our families on the line, we can’t just let another day go by without standing up for those who need help. This deadly and underfunded disease takes parents from their children, tears apart families, and steals precious moments from young children. It’s past time we do something about it. As a problem solver, I’m working around-the-clock to make that happen and to deliver for Jersey and our country.

With the legislation I am announcing today, we are standing up for those with lung cancer, their health care providers, and their loved ones. Know that I — along with those standing with me today — will never stop fighting for our Jersey Values and Jersey families.

Here, in the greatest country in the world, I know that as long as we work together, our best days will always be ahead of us.

Thank you. May God bless you, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

###