States would include pediatric experts in cancer control coalitions

The Secretary of Health and Human Services would require participating states to include at least two pediatric cancer experts in their cancer control coalitions. The condition would apply to states seeking funding under the Act for state comprehensive cancer control plans. States would need to provide assurances satisfactory to the Secretary. The requirement would apply as a condition of receiving that assistance. No start date or end date is stated.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services would appoint and operate a Cancer Control Plan Pediatric Cancer Advisory Committee. The committee would include federal and state program representatives, plus two people with pediatric cancer experience, such as experts, survivors, or caregivers. The committee would recommend resources and best practices for including pediatric cancer in state plans. It would recommend ways to use certain state funds for pediatric cancer patients and develop practices for adolescent and young adult cancer. The committee would meet each year with state coalition representatives. The Secretary would report to Congress and publish the report within two years after the committee’s first meeting. The committee would end two years after that first meeting.

Maternal and child health block grants would support pediatric cancer goals in CDC comprehensive cancer control programs and carry out the advisory committee’s recommendations. The provision would apply to grants made under the Social Security Act’s maternal and child health program. The money would support pediatric-specific initiatives and goals within CDC comprehensive cancer control programs. The money would also be used to carry out recommendations from the proposed advisory committee. No start date or end date is stated.