President Biden unveiled his proposed Fiscal Year 2025 federal budget on March 11 that prioritizes cancer research and strengthens the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) ability to tackle potential disruptions and shortages of vital medicines, including those for cancer. The president’s budget is largely viewed as a messaging document, outlining the priorities the administration would like to see Congress take up.

 

The budget plan asks for roughly $48 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), $7.84 billion for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). ARPA-H is a research funding agency that supports transformative biomedical and health breakthroughs.

 

"We applaud the president for making cancer research a priority in his budget," said Everett E. Vokes, MD, FASCO, Chair of the Board, Association for Clinical Oncology. “Every day, oncologists and their patients benefit from investments in federal cancer research funding through new, more effective, and potentially curative treatments. The cancer community stands together in the effort to ‘end cancer as we know it’ and we are eager to continue supporting research and the National Cancer Plan."

 

For FY25, ASCO is requesting $51.3 billion for NIH, $7.934 billion for NCI, and $1.5 billion for ARPA-H. 

 

The proposal also invests $75 million in the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response program to manufacture more essential medicines, medical countermeasures, and critical inputs in the United States. It proposes $12 million for the Food and Drug Administration to help the agency strengthen its capacity to identify and address potential disruptions and shortage threats.

 

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