News

Write to Your Member of Congress to Co-sponsor Congressional Bills
Release Date: 
Thu, 07/19/2012

We encourage you to write to your Member of Congress to co-sponsor two Congressional bills that would increase funding for research on melanoma and other skin cancers (H.R. 5716) and increase Federal regulation of tanning beds (H.R. 1676).

H.R. 5716, the Melanoma Research Act, has been introduced by Representatives Brian Bilbray (Republican of California) and Carolyn Maloney (Democrat of New York).  The Melanoma Research Act would establish a fund dedicated to research on all skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.  The funding source for the Skin Cancer Research Fund will come from existing user fees derived from indoor tanning services.  According to a September 2011 report, tanning service user fees have generated $54.4 million. 

H.R 1676, the Tanning Bed Cancer Control Act, has been introduced by Representatives Maloney and Charles Dent (Republican of Pennsylvania).  The Tanning Bed Cancer Control Act calls on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to review the current classification of indoor tanning devices and adjust its classification to reflect the significant scientific evidence currently on record documenting the serious health risks posed by exposure to tanning beds.  Currently FDA classifies tanning beds as a Class I medical device, the same category as Band Aids and tongue depressors.

We ask that you write your Member of Congress to cosponsor H.R. 5716, the Melanoma Research Act, and H.R. 1676, the Tanning Bed Cancer Control Act.

To find the names and contact information of your state’s representatives, visit our Advocacy page or search the House website at www.house.gov and the Senate at www.senate.gov.