Dingell wins award from American Cancer Society for work on public health and cancer issues

The annual award from ACS CAN is given to select lawmakers who demonstrate consistent leadership in the area of cancer-related public policy advocacy. ACS CAN representatives said it's the highest honor bestowed by the organization.

“Having served in the House since 1955, his tenure marks the longest in U.S. history," said Peter Sheldon, an ACS CAN board member. “Throughout his entire 56-year career, he has been working to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. There are virtually no major public policy accomplishments in the fight against cancer, or for public health in general, that Mr. Dingell has not supported or led.”

ACS CAN specifically cited Dingell's role in crafting national health reform legislation and his role in authoring the Patient’s Bill of Rights.

Calling him a tireless advocate for improving access to health care over five decades, ACS CAN also said Dingell was instrumental in the historic passage of Medicare and Medicaid, and more recently the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Affordable Care Act.

Dingell also has fought to increase federal funding for cancer research, beginning with the National Cancer Act in 1971.

"Since then, the nation’s war on cancer has brought millions of dollars and jobs to the national economy as well as raising the five-year cancer survivorship rate from less than 50 percent to 68 percent today," ACS CAN said in a statement today.

Dingell also was applauded by ACS CAN for his role in the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and for voting to increase the federal tobacco tax.