Senate committee proposes $2 billion raise for NIH, signaling fourth good year in a row

Reforms pending at USPSTF, plus, FDA rejects promising melanoma drug for the second time

The Cancer Letter’s coverage of HHS-led overhauls of foundational scientific institutions continued last week with two unrelated stories pointing to continued disarray amongst public health leadership.

May 06, 2026

By adding specialists to USPSTF, Kennedy would reshape the functioning and decisions of the influential health panel
Ransohoff: “The task force’s job is to describe the evidence fairly, and that’s done best with objective, detached methodologists”

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is moving to overhaul the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a highly influential panel that determines which preventive services insurers must cover and guides routine medical care for millions of Americans.

May 01, 2026

Vol.52 No.17

By Claire Marie Porter

Regulatory News

FDA’s second rejection of Replimune’s melanoma treatment stirs worry among oncologists, patients
“Patients are owed another review.”

Disappointment hangs in the air as Replimune’s Biologics License Application for RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec) in combination with nivolumab in the treatment of advanced melanoma was denied again by FDA on April 10.

May 01, 2026

Vol.52 No.17

By Sara Willa Ernst

Benjamin Ebert, Amy Gladfelter, Stephen Liberles, and Pardis Sabeti are among new members of the National Academy of Sciences

The National Academy of Sciences has announced the election of 120 members and 25 international members.

May 01, 2026

Vol.52 No.17

Cancer Policy

CDC’s recommendation to delay infant hepatitis B shot is likely to raise infections, JAMA studies show

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, voted in December to rescind its recommendation that all newborns receive a hepatitis B virus vaccine dose within 24 hours of birth.

May 01, 2026

Vol.52 No.17

By Claire Marie Porter

Cancer Policy

Radiation oncologists urge lawmakers to act as Medicare cuts and private payer tactics push cancer clinics toward closing

Radiation oncologists are warning lawmakers that recent Medicare policy changes threaten the viability of community cancer clinics.

May 01, 2026

Vol.52 No.17

Senate committee proposes $2 billion raise for NIH, signaling fourth good year in a row

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Reforms pending at USPSTF, plus, FDA rejects promising melanoma drug for the second time

By adding specialists to USPSTF, Kennedy would reshape the functioning and decisions of the influential health panel
Ransohoff: “The task force’s job is to describe the evidence fairly, and that’s done best with objective, detached methodologists”

FDA’s second rejection of Replimune’s melanoma treatment stirs worry among oncologists, patients
“Patients are owed another review.”

Benjamin Ebert, Amy Gladfelter, Stephen Liberles, and Pardis Sabeti are among new members of the National Academy of Sciences

CDC’s recommendation to delay infant hepatitis B shot is likely to raise infections, JAMA studies show

Radiation oncologists urge lawmakers to act as Medicare cuts and private payer tactics push cancer clinics toward closing

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Senate committee proposes $2 billion raise for NIH, signaling fourth good year in a row

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

Reforms pending at USPSTF, plus, FDA rejects promising melanoma drug for the second time

By adding specialists to USPSTF, Kennedy would reshape the functioning and decisions of the influential health panelRansohoff: “The task force’s job is to describe the evidence fairly, and that’s done best with objective, detached methodologists”

FDA’s second rejection of Replimune’s melanoma treatment stirs worry among oncologists, patients“Patients are owed another review.”

Benjamin Ebert, Amy Gladfelter, Stephen Liberles, and Pardis Sabeti are among new members of the National Academy of Sciences

CDC’s recommendation to delay infant hepatitis B shot is likely to raise infections, JAMA studies show

Radiation oncologists urge lawmakers to act as Medicare cuts and private payer tactics push cancer clinics toward closing

Never miss an issue!

Login

By adding specialists to USPSTF, Kennedy would reshape the functioning and decisions of the influential health panel
Ransohoff: “The task force’s job is to describe the evidence fairly, and that’s done best with objective, detached methodologists”

FDA’s second rejection of Replimune’s melanoma treatment stirs worry among oncologists, patients
“Patients are owed another review.”