Federal legislation to increase access to multi-cancer early detection technology for seniors through Medicare coverage is getting another run from two Carolinas congressmen and bicameral colleagues from Texas, Iowa, Alabama, California, Illinois, Idaho, Colorado and Oregon.
Medicare coverage, if the proposal is enacted, would cover the screenings once approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It is a complement to existing screening and enhances early detection capabilities.
The bill of Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, is the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. It was introduced in the 118th Congress and made it as far as the Ways and Means Committee about a week before Christmas.
“Too often, families in North Carolina and across the country are devastated by a cancer diagnosis,” said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C. “By increasing access to multi-cancer early detection screening tests, we can catch cancers sooner and save lives.”
His release says only 14% of cancers are found through the existing screenings. Late-stage cancer diagnosis is higher in communities of color and throughout rural America, Hudson’s release says. Eighty of North Carolina’s 100 counties are rural.
“Multi-cancer early detection tests are a breakthrough science that has brought us to the edge of the war on cancer,” said Dr. Gary Puckrein, president and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum. “However, nearly half of the American population on public insurance – including medically underserved, minoritized and poor communities – do not have access to life-saving technology.”
Arrington led introduction of the bill. He and Hudson are joined in sponsorship by Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C.; Michael Bennett, D-Colo.; and Ron Wyden, D-Ore.; and Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa; Terri Sewell, D-Ala.; Raul Ruiz, D-Calif.; and Robin Kelly, D-Ill.
