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Rep. Tom Reed and Gary Mervis, Chairman and Founder of Camp Good Days and Special Times announced Monday at the Falck Cancer Center at Arnot Health the reintroduction of Reed’s legislation to strengthen cancer research reporting requirements to make research data more available and ensure taxpayer dollars are not being spent on duplicative studies.

“We are here today to make sure important clinical trial results are made available to all researchers so that we might improve care, increase the chances of finding a cure, and safeguard taxpayer dollars from funding redundant research,” Reed said. “We are very happy to be here with Gary to continue our commitment to Cancer Mission 2020 and announce the reintroduction of the Clinical Trial Cancer Mission 2020 legislation my good friend Gary and I worked to compile last Congress. We’re working together to help give patients a fair chance at beating cancer.”

Gary Mervis of Camp Good Days said, “On behalf of all the children and families at Camp Good Days and the thousands who have supported and been involved with the progress of CANCER MISSION 2020 since we launched the effort in December 2010, we are so pleased that Congressman Reed is reintroducing this very important legislation. The reintroduction of this legislation enables us to move to the second phase of CANCER MISSION 2020, with a call to action, urging citizens, and our leaders, that finding the answers to cancer needs to be a priority and on the front burner. This legislation will also bring us closer to creating a much-needed collaborative and coordinated effort in the fight against cancer, so that the left hand knows what the right hand is doing.”

The lack of enforcement in reporting clinical trial results led Reed to draft and reintroduce legislation that makes it mandatory for researchers to publish all data from clinical studies, whether the results are positive or negative. The bill establishes a national clearinghouse, under the auspices of the National Institute of Health (NIH) and includes penalties for researchers who do not comply.

“Knowing if a clinical trial failed is just as important as knowing if a trial is successful so millions of dollars are not wasted by other researchers attempting the same research efforts,” Reed continued. “It’s vitally important all trial results are shared so that we might better understand the results to provide better care and advance our shared goal of finding a cure.”

Treating cancer costs the United States over $130 billion each year. Reed’s bill ensures taxpayer dollars are being spent effectively and efficiently, preventing duplicative or redundant research and withholding future government support from those who fail to report their research findings. Grantees who receive federal funds to conduct research must submit clinical trial outcomes within 30 days of their discovery or face possible ineligibility to apply for future funding.

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