By Richard L. Schilsky, MD, FASCO

Congress is bickering . . . while people are dying.

The government is closed . . . while people are dying.

Research is withering. . . while people are dying.

Laboratories are dark. . . while people are dying.

Clinical trials are on hold . . . while people are dying.

New drug approval is delayed . . . while people are dying.

Drug safety monitoring is on standby . . . while people are dying.

Medicare payments are at risk . . . while people are dying.

Young researchers are discouraged…while people are dying.

This is the drum beat of the government shutdown . . .

It’s time for Congress to stop bickering now!

Visit ASCO in Action for specifics on the shutdown’s impact on cancer care and for ASCO’s statement on the impact on NIH funding.

Richard L. Schilsky, MD, FASCO, is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of ASCO. He assumed this newly created position with the Society in February of 2013. Formerly, Chief of Hematology/Oncology in the Department of Medicine and Deputy Director of the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, he is a highly respected leader in the field of clinical oncology, who specializes in new drug development and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. Dr. Schilsky is a Past President of ASCO, having served in the role during 2008-2009, and also a Past Chair of one of the National Cancer Institute’s Cooperative Groups, Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB).