SOUTHFIELD — U.S. Rep. John Dingell, the Dean of the House, has been awarded the National Distinguished Advocacy Award, the most prestigious honor bestowed by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in gratitude for the Representative’s years of strong commitment to strong public health and cancer policies.  The annual award is given by ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, to select lawmakers who demonstrate solid, consistent leadership in the area of cancer-related public policy advocacy.

Congressman Dingell had a lead role in crafting national health reform legislation, and he authored the Patient’s Bill of Rights. He has worked to increase access to healthcare for all and was instrumental in the historic passage of Medicare, Medicaid, and more recently, Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Affordable Care Act. 

Dingell helped pass the the National Cancer Act in 1971, which has since then raised the five-year cancer survivorship rate from less than 50 percent to 68 percent today. Other recent legislation that he has supported or played a significant leadership role in includes the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Acts.