The International Myeloma Foundation Plays a Role in the Introduction of the CARE for Blood Cancer Act (H.R. 10858)
Studio City, CA, October 27, 2026—On October 23, 2026, Rep. Nanette Barragán introduced the Coordinating Access, Research, and Education for Blood Cancer Act, or the CARE for Blood Cancer Act in the U.S. Congress. This bipartisan legislation would establish a National Blood Caner Program within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It aims to improve public awareness, strengthen healthcare provider education, support earlier diagnosis, and expand access to diagnostics and treatment for patients with blood cancers, including multiple myeloma.
International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Danielle Doheny worked closely with the IMF Medical Advisor Dr. Joseph Mikhael to help shape this legislation, particularly its focus on diagnostic delays, healthcare disparities, and raised awareness of multiple myeloma. Doheny said, “This is an especially meaningful milestone for the IMF and our greater myeloma community. It is exciting to see our work culminate into the introduction of a bipartisan bill. We are particularly grateful to Congresswoman Barragán, who understands this disease first-hand, as her sister is living with multiple myeloma.”
How Does the CARE for Blood Cancer Act Work
The CARE for Blood Cancer Act would direct HHS to work with the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and other federal agencies to comprehensively approach blood cancer education, detection, and treatment.
How will this be accomplished?
In three ways:
- Grants will be provided to state, local, territorial, and Tribal health agencies. These grants are for increasing blood cancer awareness in these communities and in their healthcare workforce.
- Grants will be provided to institutions of higher education and academic and medical centers. These grants will improve access to and resources for blood cancer diagnostics and treatments.
- Educational materials and programming will be developed to aid health professionals to detect and treat blood cancers.
As multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer, and once every 15 minutes, someone is diagnosed with this disease in the U.S., the IMF is grateful for this legislation’s goals and looks forward to realizing its impact in our communities.
IMF President and CEO Heather Cooper Ortner said, “Far too many people living with multiple myeloma and other blood cancers face unnecessary delays in diagnosis and barriers to accessing the care they need. These challenges are often compounded for individuals in medically underserved communities, where disparities in access to timely, high-quality care can have profound consequences. The CARE for Blood Cancer Act represents an important step toward closing these gaps by equipping healthcare providers with the knowledge to recognize blood cancers earlier, increasing awareness among those at greatest risk, and helping more patients access timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. We are grateful to Congresswoman Barragán for her leadership and longstanding commitment to improving the lives of people affected by blood cancers. The International Myeloma Foundation is proud to support this important legislation.”
To learn more, visit the full text of the bill.