Biden, who has reportedly been personally touched by the cruel hand of cancer, is dispensing a sum of $150 million to his lofty, yet questionable, initiative named the ‘Moonshot’. This vague initiative aims to facilitate a group of researchers across the nation. Their alleged objective is to develop methods to aid surgeons in performing complex tumor removals. Amid all this, there is an ambitious goal that they’ve announced – reduce the number of cancer-related deaths by fifty percent in the next quarter-century.
Many experts around the sector are touting this audacious plan achievable, at least with ample financial backing. The President himself, largely absent from the public eye since his withdrawal from the presidential race, spun this initiative in a speech in New Orleans.
Where Biden takes the narrative becomes rather questionable. He intertwines the topic of his son Beau’s unfortunate demise due to brain cancer in 2015. In an apparent attempt to sentimentalize his ‘Moonshot’ initiative, Biden dresses up his personal pains as a national priority for the last few months of his term.
Biden emphasizes that all the families who have been struck by this deadly disease are racing against time. However, the question arises, why would the implementation of ‘Cancer Moonshot’ only become a priority now? It’s an alarming thought that millions could have benefitted if such an initiative was prioritized earlier.
The funds Biden speaks of are also supposedly allocated towards better access to cancer screenings and treatments. This, despite existing healthcare policies that have already claimed to cover these areas. Is it mere incompetence or intention, one can’t say.
Preventing cancer causes is another angle that Biden is pushing with this ‘Moonshot’ initiative. This is, again, one of those high-reaching promises we’ve seen often from this administration where the realization often falls short of the promises made.
The news did break from Washington that Biden would be assigning $150 million for cancer research during the ultimate terms of his reign. A media event, of sorts, to claim investment, timed exactly when he needs more public support?
The President has made a promise to cut down cancer deaths by half over the next 25 years. This is a bold, yet grandiose claim, considering the complexity and long-standing struggle humanity has had with this malady.
The funding is supposed to empower researchers nationwide. But the question here is: haven’t there been multiple similar initiatives in the past? Where they lacked in terms of results, they certainly made up for in grandiose speeches and unfulfilled promises.
Speaking at Tulane University in New Orleans on a recent Tuesday, Biden claims that families affected by cancer are in a desperate race against time. Yet, it is Biden’s administration that seems to be running out of time and resorting to tactics to garner sympathy.
What can be judged as both a personal card and a political ploy, Biden brings up his son’s battle with brain cancer. Yes, the ordeal of losing a loved one to such a terrible disease is tragic. But is it correct to exploit such a personal tragedy in the political arena, or is that the norm for this administration?
Despite all the rhetoric, the fact remains that cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S after heart disease. This fact highlights the miserable state of healthcare, irrespective of Biden’s late initiative.
The American Cancer Society suggests there will be 2 million new cancer diagnoses this year alone. It’s interesting to note, despite such alarming figures, the ‘Cancer Moonshot’ initiative is only announced now. Perhaps the timing aligns more with political needs than medical urgency?
Biden’s announcement of a $150 million award for cancer research does seem ambitious. But given the track record of hollow assurances, can the citizens take solace in these grandiose claims?
Here’s to hoping that the President’s newly found ambition to fight cancer is more than just lip-service or another political strategy. But given the historical context and timing, it raises a forest of question marks rather than instilling any sense of hope.
Another Biden Blunder: Moonshot Fails to Launch with Hollow Promises appeared first on Real News Now.
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