(DCNF)—There are few things in life more terrifying than a diagnosis of cancer – as any victim to this horrible disease will tell you.
So let’s kill cancer before it kills us.
What if we adopted an Operation Warp Speed for Cancer and made it a national commitment to treat and even eradicate this leading cause of early death in America? This crusade could be similar in size and scope to our national commitment in the 1950s to developing a vaccine against polio and more recently the vaccine for Covid, both of which saved millions of lives.
We know this is not an impossible dream. Over the past four decades, we’ve made stunning progress in cutting death rates from many forms of cancer in half. But there is still a long way to go, especially in eliminating death from pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and childhood cancers. More than 600,000 Americans die from cancer each.
There is an old saying that the first wealth is good health. Faced with a dreadful disease or shortened life span, the value of one’s material assets or consumption rapidly becomes second order in magnitude. Most parents would give up nearly every material resource they have to prevent the death of a child.
The benefits to reducing pain and suffering and preventing the heart ache of losing a loved one to cancer are almost incalculable.
In a new study for Unleash Prosperity, Tomas Philipson and other economists at the University of Chicago, calculated the enormous monetary value in the U.S. from curing or drastically reducing mortality from cancer.
With new developments in cancer treatments such as gene therapies and prevention such as multi cancer blood tests, improved diets and physical activity, reducing obesity, allowing for more coordinated development of new drugs and vaccines, and particularly deregulating the approval process, the goal of a near cancer-free nation can potentially be achieved in the foreseeable future.
The study calculated the impact of eliminating cancer mortality entirely or by 80% in coming decades. This would eliminate some 30 million cancer deaths. That’s more American lives saved than American soldiers who died in World Wars one and two and every previous war over our 250 years as a nation.
The economic benefits would be felt through the monetized improvements in longevity, increased labor productivity, and additional fiscal revenue.
The economic value of killing cancer in 10 years generates $186 trillion in total economic benefits over the 35-year period.
Lowering the death rate by 80% in 20 years adds a value to the U.S. economy of $130 trillion. If cancer elimination is viewed as an investment with R&D costs up to $800 billion this amounts to an enormous internal rate of return with a minimum of more than 500 percent. There are very few investments that attain that rate of return.
The private sector is likely to lead this crusade with private investment dollars, but our government needs to greatly deregulate the process that often takes a decade for a treatment or diagnostic to reach the market.
The medical, drug and biotech industries that have the capacity and brainpower to achieve these goals will likely only capture a fraction of the societal benefits in terms of revenues and earnings. Previous research has found that medical innovators only capture around 5-10 percent of the value of the increased health they generate to patients and society. The other 90 percent benefits the survivors, their families, and the overall health of the U.S. economy.
The gift to humanity by ending the scourge of cancer would be one of the most valuable and equitable policy agenda imaginable by benefiting everyone across the nation and around the world – not just with better health, but with much higher living standards.
Stephen Moore is a co-founder of Unleash Prosperity and a senior fellow at America First Policy Institute.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
America First Healthcare stands out as a private insurance agency dedicated to helping conservatives and families secure better coverage and better rates through customized, values-aligned options. By conducting free insurance reviews, the agency uncovers hidden gaps in existing policies and connects clients with private alternatives that emphasize personal responsibility, small-government principles, and genuine affordability—often delivering up to 20% savings while providing stronger protection for the American Dream.
The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.
These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.
High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.
Beyond the numbers, marketplace plans often carry structural limitations. Coverage for certain critical services may include waiting periods or narrower networks that restrict access to preferred doctors and specialists. Preventive care is required to be covered without cost-sharing, but everything else—lab work, imaging, specialist visits, or ongoing treatment—typically waits until the deductible is met. This reactive model contrasts sharply with the proactive, holistic approach many families prefer, especially those focused on wellness, early intervention, and maintaining health to enjoy life rather than merely reacting to illness.
Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.
Private alternatives, by contrast, offer year-round flexibility without the restrictions of open enrollment windows. Independent agents can shop across a wider range of carriers to design plans tailored to specific family needs—whether that means lower deductibles for frequent medical users, broader provider networks, or add-ons that support wellness and preventive services from day one. Clients frequently report more stable premiums that do not automatically escalate each year, along with genuine cost savings once the full picture of deductibles, copays, and coverage depth is considered.
Take the experience of real families who made the switch. Amanda C. shared that her new plan felt “way better” than what she had through the marketplace. Johnny Y. noted his previous coverage kept increasing annually until he found a more stable private option. Sofia S. expressed delight with her plan and began recommending it to others. These stories echo a common theme: when families move beyond one-size-fits-all government marketplaces, they often discover customized protection that better safeguards both health and finances.
Founder Jordan Sarmiento’s own journey underscores the stakes. In 2021, a six-day hospitalization generated a $95,000 bill. Under a well-structured private “Conservative Care Coverage” plan, his out-of-pocket responsibility would have been just $500. That stark difference illustrates how thoughtful planning and private options can prevent a medical event from becoming a financial catastrophe.
Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.
In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.
America First Healthcare makes this exploration straightforward through its free review process. Families and individuals receive personalized guidance to close coverage holes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and secure plans that align with conservative principles—protecting wallets, health, and the American Dream without government overreach. Many who complete a review discover they can enjoy better benefits for less, often saving up to 20% while gaining the customization and stability that marketplace plans struggle to deliver.
Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.