Why It Matters

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) terminated its lobbying relationship with Actum I LLC at the end of the first quarter of 2026, according to an LDA termination lobbying disclosure filed June 5. The termination referenced a $30,000 engagement for a single quarter of work on NIH funding and the fiscal year 2027 Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Act.

ACS CAN is the 501(c)(4) advocacy arm of the American Cancer Society, meaning it exists specifically to lobby Congress, something the broader organization's 501(c)(3) structure limits. Its entire policy operation is oriented around securing federal funding for cancer research and protecting health coverage for patients, and the fiscal year 2027 appropriations cycle is a central priority.

Broader Context

ACS CAN has publicly pushed for $51.3 billion for NIH and $7.93 billion for the National Cancer Institute in its fiscal year 2026 requests. The fiscal year 2027 cycle brings similar stakes, with the Labor, HHS, and Education spending bill serving as the primary legislative vehicle for NIH and CDC appropriations. That bill has historically been among the most contentious in the annual appropriations process, frequently stalled or folded into omnibus packages.

The broader political environment around health research funding has grown increasingly volatile, with proposals to restructure or reduce federal health agency budgets drawing significant pushback from patient advocacy groups, research institutions, and members of both parties. For an organization like ACS CAN, whose core mission depends on the federal government remaining the dominant funder of cancer research, the fiscal year 27 appropriations process carries direct consequences.

The Bottom Line

The lobbyist listed on the Actum filing is Letty Mederos. Her background includes experience working with the House Appropriations Committee across the 112th, 115th, and 116th Congresses, as well as the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee across the 113th, 114th, and 115th Congresses. She also has experience tied to the House Education and the Workforce Committee from the 113th Congress.

Her member experience includes work connected to Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), who served as ranking member and chair of the House Appropriations Committee and one of the most prominent Democratic voices on NIH funding.

This article is based on a lobbying termination disclosure filed under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. Filing ID: 2104435.

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