Thanks, Sen. Moran, for protecting funding that fuels cancer research | Opinion

Science boost

I am writing to express my sincere thanks to Sen. Jerry Moran for defending and helping pass critical federal funding for cancer research and prevention. These investments save lives, strengthen our economy and accelerate discoveries that turn fatal diagnoses into manageable conditions.

Sustained research and prevention funding for the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fuels progress across the cancer continuum — from early detection and prevention to therapies and survivorship care. For families in our community, including mine, this commitment offers hope, time and the promise of better outcomes.

As an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer, I applaud Moran for standing up for science, bipartisan collaboration and the patients who depend on it. At a moment when budgets are tight, choosing to prioritize this funding shows that Congress isn’t giving up on the fight against cancer. It also gives me hope as an aspiring cancer researcher.

I encourage continued leadership to protect and expand these federal investments, so researchers can plan, patients can benefit from breakthroughs and progress can continue. Thank you for your service and for putting patients first.

- Matthew Chen, Overland Park

Great honor

Our City of Fountains has recently had a national honoree in Mark Henry, who won the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration’s Pugsley Medal — the Super Bowl prize for people who devote their lives to the world of nature. Mark has helped make our city’s parks, zoo, fountains and Starlight Theatre outstanding. He also served on the Missouri Conservation Commission, which preserves and protects our world of nature and is the best conservation department in the country.

Mark is especially honored for his ability to obtain the finances to do the right things to keep our world of nature protected. I have always felt lucky to live in Mark’s town, and I know his many friends will be pleased to hear that he won this award.

- Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City

Prove it

The president claims there was major voter fraud in multiple states in the 2020 election, so I would like to know which states, how much fraud and whether it has been proved in a court of law. The Constitution states clearly that administration of elections belongs to the states. Until definitive proof is provided by this president, one would hope he will drop the subject, along with his rampant threats.

Instead, please provide all the Epstein files and allow those who abused children to be prosecuted instead of wasting taxpayer dollars on ridiculous claims of voter fraud.

- Susan Tozier, Olathe

Improve ICE

The adage “Insanity is continuing with the same behavior but expecting a different result” applies to our current immigration enforcement efforts. Changes are needed for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be effective in its mandate.

The administration claims it is expelling murderers, rapists and crime lords. Yet statistics show that fewer than 14% of the people detained are hardened criminals. This is caused by an arbitrary quota system. American citizens and children are being rounded up as well. Racial profiling is taking place.

The idea of a quota is reminiscent of Vietnam, where body count was the measure of how well the United States was doing in the war .

Write your Congress folks and demand ICE be reformed, so it is effective and not promoting chaos in our communities.

- Patrick Devine, Overland Park

Food, medicine

I’ve spent years growing food that nourishes our communities. I’ve watched too many neighbors struggle with diabetes, obesity and other diet-related illnesses, conditions that healthy food could help prevent or manage.

That’s why I support Missouri’s Food is Medicine Act. This isn’t about expanding government programs — it’s about reducing health care costs by testing whether nutrition-based care through Medicaid can keep people out of hospitals.

The numbers tell the story. Missouri spends about $1 billion annually on avoidable health care costs linked to limited food access. Nearly 600,000 Missourians have diabetes, and almost two-thirds of our adults are overweight or obese. These conditions drive expensive emergency-room visits and hospitalizations that we’re paying for through Medicaid.

National evidence shows that when nutrition becomes part of health care, hospitalizations drop by 23% and ER visits by 13%. A Fresh Rx: Community Nutrition pilot in St. Louis proved this works locally, projecting $5.3 million in annual Medicaid savings while reducing low-birthweight births.

Prevention costs less than treatment. The Food is Medicine Act gives Missouri a practical way to lower health care costs while strengthening our local food economy.

Contact your state legislators today. Tell them Missouri needs to pass the Food is Medicine Act.

- Janett Lewis, St. Louis

ID danger

I changed my name. In 1976, I asked the DMV for a duplicate driver’s license in my original name but was denied. After a lot of cursing and other stuff, I wrote the office a letter saying only three states at that time required women to change their surnames upon marriage — Hawaii, Louisiana and a third I don’t remember.

Soon, I had a notarized affidavit that said I wouldn’t defraud and deprive with this new ID. I signed it and got my new license.

If the SAVE America Act — which passed the U.S. House earlier this month — is approved by the Senate, voters will face onerous new identification requirements. Married women and others who have changed their names would have to produce multiple documents to vote in August and November.

The public needs to beware.

- Doris Duke, Overland Park