Cancer clinical trials and biomarker testing national public awareness campaign

Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 399V–8. Cancer clinical trials and biomarker testing national public awareness campaign (a) National campaign (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out a national campaign to increase the awareness and knowledge of health care providers and individuals, including patients and caregivers, with respect to the importance of clinical trials in the treatment of cancer. (2) Activities (A) In general Activities under such national campaign shall include each of the following: (i) Written materials Maintaining a supply of written and digital materials that provide information to the public on clinical trials, and distributing such materials to members of the public upon request. (ii) Public service announcements; public engagement Providing public service announcements, in accordance with applicable law, including through publishing materials in digital or print form, and carrying out other public engagement initiatives. Such public service announcements and other public engagement initiatives shall include such announcements and initiatives intended to encourage individuals to discuss with their physicians— (I) what cancer clinical trials are; (II) the importance of clinical trials in the treatment of cancer; (III) how to enroll in cancer clinical trials; (IV) what cancer biomarker testing is; (V) the importance of biomarker testing in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer; and (VI) how to access cancer biomarker testing. (B) Targeted populations The Secretary shall ensure that the national campaign includes communications, including public service announcements and other public engagement initiatives under subparagraph (A)(ii), that are— (i) culturally and linguistically competent; and (ii) targeted to— (I) specific populations that are at a higher risk of cancer, including such populations based on factors including race, ethnicity, level of acculturation, and family history; (II) rural communities; and (III) such other communities as the Secretary determines appropriate. (3) Consultation In carrying out the national campaign under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with— (A) health care providers; (B) nonprofit organizations; (C) State and local public health departments; and (D) elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education. (b) Demonstration projects regarding outreach and education strategies for cancer and brain tumor patients (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out a program to award grants or contracts to public or nonprofit private entities for the purpose of carrying out demonstration projects to test, compare, and evaluate different evidence-based outreach and education strategies to increase the awareness and knowledge of cancer and brain tumor clinical trials and biomarker testing. Such projects shall focus on the awareness and knowledge of patients (and the families of patients), physicians, nurses, and other key health professionals involved in brain tumor treatment. (2) Awards In making awards under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A) ensure that information provided through demonstration projects supported by such an award is consistent with the best available medical information; and (B) give preference to— (i) applicants with demonstrated expertise in— (I) biomarker testing and clinical trials in brain tumors and other recalcitrant cancers; (II) brain cancer and other recalcitrant cancer education or treatment; (III) working with groups of patients and caregivers; and (IV) reaching geographic areas that have historically low rates of participation in cancer clinical trials; and (ii) applicants that demonstrate in their application submitted under paragraph (3) that the project for which they are seeking a grant or contract will involve and connect physicians, nurses, other key health professionals, health profession students, hospitals, and payers. (3) Applications To seek a grant or contract under this subsection, an entity shall submit an application to the Secretary in such form, in such manner, and containing such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary may reasonably require. (c) Authorization of appropriations For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030..