LETTERS: BOND HAS PUSHED MEDICAL RESEARCH

To the editor:

As an independent voter, I take great exception to Alan Journet's letter to the editor, "Political will needed to fight cancer." I was taken aback about a generalization Mr. Journet made concerning political parties and cancer prevention and research.

Cancer, like any other disease, does not discriminate. In that same respect, funding health research and programs for prevention and cures is not a partisan issue. It does not matter whether you are Republican or Democrat, woman or man, child or adult. All of us are vulnerable to cancer and other devastating diseases.

If one would look at the issue from a realistic perspective, there are few people in our great country who would not do whatever they could to prevent illnesses if they had that opportunity. Solely blaming Republicans for Mr. Journet's perceived lack of support for cancer prevention and research is not only unfair, but inaccurate.

For example, Republican U.S. Sen. Kit Bond has been a leader and champion for health research and funding. As a member of the committee that funds health agencies, Bond has secured increases in funding for disease research and prevention above what the president has requested for the last three fiscal years. This year alone, Bond supported a bill to increase biomedical research by $2 billion. This amount is $820 million above what the president requested in his budget.

Just recently, Bond led the charge by demanding increased funding for public health and prevention. Bond has been commended by organizations such as the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes and American Academy of Pediatrics for leading this charge. Not only did Bond work to increase funding for cancer research and prevention, but he has secured increased prevention and research funding for cardiovascular diseases, birth defects, diabetes and other diseases which impose a devastating financial, emotional and physical toll on thousands of Missourians.

Bond also has fought to create a better health program for military retirees and veterans, many of whom suffer from cancer and heart disease, so they may be able to use private providers and hospitals to receive the quality care they deserve. He has worked to allow for the 100 percent deduction of health-care premiums for small business owners and farmers, despite the fact that the president only wants to provide an 80 percent deduction. Bond recognizes the inequity of the current system which allows large corporations to deduct 100 percent for health-care premiums.

Bond understands the importance of health care and disease prevention and research. It is clear that Bond is the exception to Mr. Journet's rule.

JACKLYN S. CLARK

Cape Girardeau