Benay Taub Lung Cancer Research Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6319

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-11-28: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-03-17T08:05:40Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Benay Taub Lung Cancer Research Act (H.R. 6319) aims to address gaps in lung cancer research and funding by creating a dedicated task force. It seeks to evaluate disparities in resources for lung cancer compared to other diseases and recommend ways to increase federal support, ultimately improving research, treatment access, and screenings for this major health issue.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of Task Force: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must create the Lung Cancer Task Force within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a federal agency focused on medical research.
• Membership: The Secretary appoints members, including at least one representative from the National Cancer Institute (NCI, part of NIH that leads cancer research) and one from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (a program that helps states prevent and control cancer).
• Duties: The task force will investigate:
• Differences in lung cancer research funding, resources, and patient access to treatments compared to other diseases, considering how many people are affected by lung cancer.
• The amount of federal funding for lung cancer research relative to the disease's overall impact (e.g., deaths, costs, and prevalence).
• Current practices and challenges in lung cancer screening programs across the United States.
• Report to Congress: Within 180 days (about six months) of the law's enactment, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress summarizing the task force's findings and recommendations, with a focus on ways to boost federal funding for lung cancer research.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new entity—the Lung Cancer Task Force—without directly amending prior laws. It builds on existing federal health programs (like those at NIH and CDC) by mandating a targeted review of lung cancer priorities, which could influence future budget allocations but does not immediately alter current statutes.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: HHS, NIH, and CDC will face short-term administrative tasks to form the task force and produce the report, potentially leading to long-term increases in research budgets and coordination on cancer initiatives.
• Citizens: People affected by lung cancer (including patients, families, and at-risk groups) may benefit from improved research funding, better access to treatments, and enhanced screening programs, which could reduce health disparities and save lives.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. health policy and federal funding.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Patients and Advocacy Groups: Individuals with lung cancer or at high risk, along with organizations pushing for cancer research equity.
• Healthcare Providers and Researchers: Doctors, scientists, and institutions involved in lung cancer studies and treatments, who could gain from increased resources.
• Federal Agencies: HHS, NIH, and CDC, responsible for implementing the task force and acting on its recommendations.
• Congress and Policymakers: Lawmakers who will receive the report and may adjust funding or policies based on its insights.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill is straightforward and complies with standard congressional processes for creating advisory bodies; it imposes no new enforceable rights or penalties but could indirectly shape future appropriations laws.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts with constitutional principles, as it involves Congress directing executive agencies (HHS) on public health matters, which falls under federal spending powers.
• Political: Highlights ongoing debates about equitable funding for "less visible" diseases like lung cancer (often stigmatized due to smoking links), potentially pressuring Congress to prioritize it amid competing health needs; success depends on bipartisan support for the report's recommendations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]

Recent Actions

• 2025-11-28: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-11-28: Introduced in House
• 2025-11-28: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Benay Taub Lung Cancer Research Act — issued 2025-11-28 — PDF (2 pages)