Nikki -I can't reveal her source. She works in Tallahasee HB 5303 they want to cut $10 million out of Moffitt, if you can't afford to pay for additional drugs you can be denied.  It was placed in teh Republicans…all the Republicans are  Jamie Grant…..he refuses to cut to pay for the funding..he;s being harassed or there will be consequences…….I do this ….I kind it bothered me so .  it's disturbing……  this needs to be published…..HB 5303 .  A direct link….

ouse Republicans also lined up to support taking money from Moffitt. The bill would use revenue previously allocated to three cancer centers to plug a $170 million deficit at the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

State Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West, posed the strongest challenge, saying the state was reneging on a promise to use the cigarette tax to fund health care.

Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek, called it a "breach of trust."

Rep. Patrick Rooney, R-West Palm Beach, agreed it was difficult to cut money for cancer research. "It's Sophie's Choice," he said. "Cancer versus people with disabilities."

The House passed the bill 77-41

ipartisan opposition has arisen in the Florida House to a Republican-backed proposal that breaks Florida’s commitment to provide a dedicated source of funding for cancer research.

Late Thursday in the House Appropriations Committee, two Republicans — Reps. William Proctor (R-St. Augustine) and Marti Coley(R-Marianna) – joined Democrats in opposing a bill sponsored by Rep. Matt Hudson (R-Naples) that would end guaranteed state funding for three Florida cancer programs, including one named for Coley’s late husband.

During debate on House Bill 5303, House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders (D-Key West) characterized the bill as a “breach of trust” since lawmakers only two years ago (in the 2009 legislative session) approved a $1 per pack increase in tobacco taxes on the promise of new funding for cancer research.

“This bill is a good example of why the public doesn’t and shouldn’t trust the Florida Legislature,” Saunders said.

HB 5303 repeals provisions of statute related to the funding of programs for the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program, the William G. “Bill” Bankhead, Jr. and David Coley Cancer Research Program, and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute from state cigarette surcharge revenues.

The House also passed a conforming bill in HB 5303 by a 77-41 vote, with Republican Reps. James Grant, R-Tampa, and Marti Coley, R-Marianna, voting against the measure.

Director of GOvt. Relations at MOffitt – 813-240-3454  Reprsenative Grant.

This article appears in Apr 7-13, 2011.