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Moffitt Cancer Center Asks Lawmakers to Increase Cigarette Tax Funding

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State Representative James Grant and State Senator Dana Young
join Moffitt to announce bill, share cancer center expansion plans

Moffitt Cancer Center Executive Vice President and Center Director Thomas A. Sellers, Ph.D., MPH, was joined by State Rep. James Grant and State Sen. Dana Young today to announce a new bill asking lawmakers for an $8 million increase in the annual funding that the cancer center receives from Florida’s cigarette tax. The additional funding would be used to replace a nearly 30 year old research building with a new, state-of-the-art facility on Moffitt’s Magnolia Campus at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

“Moffitt was established by the state to provide Floridians with access to world-class cancer care. In order to keep pace with the needs of our state’s aging population and continue to develop new discoveries and treatments for cancer, expanding and updating Moffitt’s facilities is critical,” said Sellers. 

“Moffitt’s longstanding partnership with the State of Florida has been crucial to improving cancer care for our citizens and educating the next generation of healthcare professionals. Increasing the funds Moffitt receives from the cigarette tax will allow the cancer center to continue making a lasting impact in Florida and beyond,” said Rep. Grant. 

“Moffitt is a tremendous asset to the State of Florida. An increase in funding to this world-class facility will provide an amazing return on investment as its physicians and researchers continue to pursue innovative breakthroughs in the fight to cure cancer,” said Sen. Young. 

The new research building is part of a larger 10-year expansion plan that was announced by Moffitt late last year. The plan calls for several new buildings, hospital renovations and the creation of more than 750 new jobs.

Today’s announcement was part of the 12th annual Moffitt Day, which brings more than 50 volunteers, including patients, caregivers, physicians and researchers to the State Capitol in support of Moffitt. Advocates meet with lawmakers, sharing Moffitt’s mission to eradicate cancer and asking for continued state support for Florida’s premier cancer center. This year, Moffitt was joined by Cindy Gruden, wife of ESPN analyst Jon Gruden. Both are longtime champions of the cancer center. Cindy is a member of Moffitt’s Foundation Board of Directors. 

“Moffitt is all about teamwork. Their team comes together day after day to give their patients the best game plan to battle cancer. Jon and I are proud to support this organization and spread the word about the amazing advances they are making in the prevention and cure of this disease,” said Gruden.

Moffitt is the No. 6 cancer hospital in the United States. It is also the only Florida-based cancer center to receive the prestigious Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute. Moffitt is also committed to educating the next generation of Florida-trained physicians, scientists and health care professionals. The cancer center trains more students in the field of oncology than all other Florida institutions, with more than 2,000 student rotations annually. 

About Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 47 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s excellence in research, clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt is the No. 6 cancer hospital in the nation and has been listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Best Hospitals” for cancer care since 1999. Moffitt devotes more than 2.5 million square feet to research and patient care. Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. With more than 5,200 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $2.1 billion. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the momentum on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

Sen. Nelson calls for increase in airport security in wake of shooting

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee which oversees the FAA, called for an increase in airport security in the wake of Friday’s deadly shooting at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Nelson made the comments during his opening remarks at the Commerce Committee’s confirmation hearing today for Elaine Chao, the president-elect’s nominee to be the next Secretary of Transportation.
“While we’ve made some progress in last year’s FAA bill to double the number of the VIPR teams, the dog teams, and bolster the screening of airport workers, this tragic shooting serves as reminder that our work to improve airport security remains a constant challenge,” Nelson said. “This year’s FAA reauthorization bill, that we will have to take up, could be a good place to start if more needs to be done to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.”
Video of Nelson’s remarks is available here: https://youtu.be/cLrl4tprRG4
And here’s a transcript:
Sen. Bill Nelson
Remarks at Senate Commerce Committee Hearing
January 11, 2017
Sen. Nelson: As we start out, I want to take a minute to express, on behalf of the Committee, condolences to the friends and loved ones of the victims of Friday’s horrific shooting at Fort Lauderdale’s airport.
And I want to thank the heroic work that was undertaken by first responders and law enforcement personnel in responding.
And although the investigation remains ongoing, I expect all of us in the Congress to continue exploring ways to protect the traveling public in light of this tragic incident.  And while we’ve made some progress in last year’s FAA bill to double the number of the VIPR teams, the dog teams, and bolster the screening of airport workers, this tragic shooting serves as reminder that our work to improve airport security remains a constant challenge.
This year’s FAA reauthorization bill that we will have to take up could be a good place to start if more needs to be done to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
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