There are nearly 19 million cancer survivors in the United States today. Throughout my tenure as president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network I have had the honor to meet, advocate alongside and celebrate so many of these survivors. It's one of the most rewarding and inspiring aspects of my work, and I am deeply committed to seeing the number of people who survive a cancer diagnosis continue to increase.

This can only become a reality if lawmakers commit to prioritizing cancer-fighting public policy that reduces barriers for everyone to prevent, detect early, treat and survive cancer.

It's devastating to cancer patients and survivors, among so many others, that Congress has recently passed a law that threatens affordable health care insurance coverage for millions of Americans. These record cuts to Medicaid and changes to Marketplace plans -- like the state's MaineCare program -- will terminate health coverage for 10 million Americans and increase health care costs for everyone.

We are disappointed in Congress' vote and worried for the future of cancer care in the United States. However, I take pride in knowing lawmakers from my home state of Maine, Sens. Collins and King and Reps. Pingree and Golden, stood up against these reckless and harmful cuts. And I remain hopeful they will continue to prioritize the health of Mainers with cancer by opposing cuts to lifesaving prevention programs and cutting-edge cancer research.

More than 2 million Americans, including more than 11,000 Mainers, are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2025. That's why now is the time to defend and strengthen our country's commitment to biomedical research critical to future cures.

Congress holds the power of the purse, giving it the authority to control government spending. While the president has proposed cutting nearly 40% of the budget of agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it's vital for Congress to safeguard our national investments.

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Research funding is essential for scientific advancement, medical breakthroughs and maintaining America's competitive edge. Nearly 1,500 jobs in Maine are supported by NIH investments, which also result in roughly $286 million in economic activity in the state.

In fact, for the past 50 years, every significant medical breakthrough, especially in the treatment of cancer, is because of sustained federal investment in research. This commitment has contributed to those millions of cancer survivors currently living in the U.S. today.

The U.S. has long been the global leader in biomedical research. That's not an accident. It's because of smart and sustained federal investments in science. If we step back now, other countries are more than ready to fill the void. We risk losing our leadership, our top researchers and years of progress. Most importantly, there will be slower medical breakthroughs, which means more patients -- here in Maine and across the country -- will suffer and die from this devastating disease.

Cancer doesn't wait, and neither can we. That's why Congress must protect NIH, National Cancer Institute and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding to save American lives, strengthen our economy and maintain our country's global leadership in science.

I write these words not only as the leader of a nationwide public health advocacy organization and not only on behalf of the cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones who lend their voices to this mission -- but as someone who has felt the impact of cancer on her family firsthand. I know how painful it can be to watch someone you love hear those devastating words, "You have cancer" -- and what hope research breakthroughs bring after a diagnosis. We cannot take that hope away from future generations of Americans.

Continued progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer isn't guaranteed: it is under threat, and it is critical lawmakers stand up to protect and fight for this progress.

To Maine's congressional delegation: we are so grateful for your opposition to cuts to our nation's Medicaid program. Please stand firm in your commitment to protecting public health.

Please continue to hear and respond to the countless stories of desperation and hope that have been shared with you by cancer patients and survivors across Maine. Let them know you have heard their voices by rejecting any cuts to lifesaving research and prevention programs.

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