Bipartisan Majority of U.S. House of Representatives Supports Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act

A milestone has been achieved for a bill aimed at expanding Medicare coverage for multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, with a bipartisan majority of members in the U.S. House of Representatives supporting the legislation. Introduced by Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) and cosponsored by Reps. Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Raul Ruiz (CA-36), and Richard Hudson (NC-08), the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 1946) would allow for MCED tests to be covered by Medicare in a timely manner upon approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and once a clinical benefit is shown. The legislation has also gained the support of nearly half of the U.S. Senate and over 400 organizations across the country.

Key Takeaways:

• The Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 1946) has gained the support of a bipartisan majority of members in the U.S. House of Representatives.
• The bill, introduced by Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) and cosponsored by Reps. Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Raul Ruiz (CA-36), and Richard Hudson (NC-08), aims to expand Medicare coverage for multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests.
• The legislation would allow for MCED tests to be covered by Medicare in a timely manner upon approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and once a clinical benefit is shown.
• The bill has also gained the support of nearly half of the U.S. Senate and over 400 organizations across the country.
• According to Rep. Sewell, the legislation "will ensure that our nation's seniors can access these technologies when they become available."
• Rep. Arrington added that "multi-cancer early detection is an incredible example of the U.S. leading in medical innovation."
• Dr. Ruiz stated that "our much-needed legislation would improve health outcomes across the board by modernizing Medicare coverage so that older Americans can access [MCED tests]."
• Rep. Hudson noted that "by increasing access to innovative multi-cancer early detection screening tests in Medicare, we can detect cancers sooner, lower health care costs, and save lives in North Carolina and around the country."

Statistics:

• Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.
• Detecting cancer early can result in less invasive treatments, reduced costs, and most importantly, better outcomes for patients with cancer.
• Scientists are developing and testing innovative blood-based multi-cancer early detection tests that can screen for many cancers at the same time, including rare cancers.
• The companies engaged in multi-cancer screening have both received breakthrough device designation for their tests and are pursuing FDA approval.
• Under current law, it could take several years after FDA approval before Medicare beneficiaries could receive coverage for such tests.
• The Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act would create the authority for CMS to cover blood-based multi-cancer early detection tests and future test methods (like urine or hair tests), once approved by the FDA.

Sources:

• United States House of Representatives -- Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)
• Jody Hoyos, President and COO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation
• Lisa Lacasse, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
• Christian G. Downs, JD, MHA, ACCC Executive Director
• Gary A. Puckrein, PhD, President and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum