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- Read the Day 1 Blog Day 2 at the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum As we made our way into Day 2 of the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum, the Republican candidates turn, LAF President Doug Ulman had some time to reflect on the previous day's events. "Day 1 was amazing, not only did candidates come to talk about specific issues, but they made commitments, too," he said. "For example they made commitments to doubling the budget (for cancer) and if those individuals are elected we'll hold them accountable. No real surprises, I was just impressed that so many people came with specific plans, and they were all thought provoking." What about the statement that Senator Obama's camp released yesterday, and for other candidates who weren’t able to attend? "We'll definitely reach out to Senator Obama's policy folks and make them aware of what was said and what took place here, and I expect they will play a little bit of catch up and try and move forward, but while we appreciate their release we wish they would have been here. But there will be more opportunities for everyone to come." Just before 10am the audience was once again treated to a showing of the LAF Manifesto video, it really sets the tone for the day ahead. Doug came to the dais and made sure to thank the staff and all the volunteers for their hard work, and then promptly brought up local Cedar Rapids councilman Brian Fagan. In his remarks he explained that the city's "5th Season" motto refers not to the traditional seasons of the year, but to the time the locals use to enjoy and enhance the quality of their lives. He then encouraged those in attendance that while the tendency can be to support a candidate, the reality is that we were here today to support a noble cause – the fight against cancer. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley was the day's keynote speaker, noting that the reason he was here at the event today was that 20 years ago his wife was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. He credited early detection and screening as the prime reasons she is alive today, noting that, "Today isn't about what we've done, but what we are going to do in the future." Soon after the Senator's remarks, Lance and co-host Chris Matthews got things going, with Lance noting that the reason this is a forum – and not a debate – was that fighting cancer is simply not a debatable issue, it affects every single person in America, one way or another.
Senator Sam Brownback was the day's first candidate. He noted his personal connection to the disease; his father is a colon cancer survivor and he himself had an early stage melanoma removed. Calling the experience "…the greatest blessing of my life," he said that it had changed him from a man that pursued power to one who now pursues purpose. The Senator said that cancer is a "unifying theme", and that we need to increase funding and access to clinical trials.
One difference between the Republican and Democratic approach to healthcare is the role of government. Senator Brownback cited expanding markets, increasing Health Savings Accounts, electronic medical records, and price information disclosure as key points of his approach. When Lance noted that cancer costs Americans $200B annually in medical costs and lost productivity, and wonder what the Senator's cancer budget would be, he answered that first we need to set a clear objective that will stir the American public: ending deaths by cancer in 10 years. He said that like the race to put a man on the moon, the objective drives the budget.
When asked if tobacco should be under Federal control, to move for a smoke free America, the Senator favored the process as it is, with state by state and local governments making their own decisions. On the subject of stem cell research, the Senator said he believes in the science but doesn't think you should kill young life to do it, and that included unused fertilized eggs in IVF clinics. In another controversial issue – mandatory vaccination of young women against the HPV virus for cervical cancer – Senator Brownback said that while he supports the program, he does not think it should be mandatory at the Federal level and that it needs to be studied for a time as well. As he prepared to leave the stage he noted again that access to Tier 1 clinical trials – especially for those people diagnosed as terminal – was a very important issue to him.
The day's second and final candidate was Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Known for having lost 110 lbs in a major lifestyle change as he faced the realities of Type 2 Diabetes, the Governor had a central message of "universal health" throughout his remarks. Additionally, while in his final semester at college he and his new wife faced the demanding fight of a cancerous tumor on her spine, the chance of paralysis from surgery and the potential for never having children; fortunately neither came true. The Governor is a big supporter of a smoke free America, saying he would like a law that says you cannot smoke in any indoor workplace. He also cited that better health and nutrition combined with screening for cancer could reduce deaths by 1/3 of the current national statistics. When asked if he supported health insurance for one and all, he said that, "…global insurance doesn't lead to global health," you still have to address the underlying health related matters. As for where he thinks money should be better spent, the Governor said that "…money spent on the front side doesn't cost dollars, it ultimately saves them," through earlier detection or better health and not contracting the disease to begin with. When asked what was more important, the war in Iraq or the war on cancer, he said, "Which wing is more important on an airplane?" going on to note that there are many important programs within the national interest. As he closed the day out, Governor Huckabee challenged the audience to, "Think vertically and not horizontally, is what we are doing going to take the country up, or bring it down?" And that was that. As Lance and Chris made a few parting remarks, Chris said, "I think you got what you wanted: all the candidates said yes to the war on cancer." The Lance Armstrong Foundation will be a key player in that war, but as Doug Ulman noted, this forum was not an end, it is just a beginning – LIVESTRONG!
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