WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Ways and Means Committee recently approved H.R. 842, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act – introduced by Representatives Jodey Arrington (TX-19) and Terri Sewell (AL-07) and named in honor of Representative Sewell’s late mother – to ensure timely access to innovative early-detection cancer screenings for Medicare beneficiaries. The Committee also passed H.R. 5343, the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act – introduced by Representatives Blake Moore (UT-01) and Suzan DelBene (WA-01) – to provide coverage for and encourage the development of innovative treatments that can reduce the prevalence of chronic disease and achieve long-term cost savings. Both bills were approved with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Organizations representing patients and providers have been speaking out about how these policy solutions are critical to the health and well-being of Medicare beneficiaries and the Medicare program – including nearly 600 organizations that have signed on in support of coverage for multi-cancer early detection screening.
Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 842)
Ensures timely coverage of innovative multi-cancer early detection screening tests so that seniors can receive the care and treatment needed early to help live healthier and longer lives.
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
“ACS CAN is thrilled that the House of Representatives is demonstrating its commitment to advancing the bipartisan Nancy Gardner Sewell Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act.” – Lisa Lacasse, President, ACS CAN
Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC)
“By passing this legislation, Congress can help improve outcomes for cancer patients and reduce the financial burden of cancer by preventing late-stage cancer diagnoses. There is no reason to delay action on legislation that has garnered the support of hundreds of patients and provider advocacy organizations and is cosponsored by more than two-thirds of the House and more than 60 Senators.” – Megan O’Neill, Executive Director, ACCC
Cancer Support Community
“The mission of the Cancer Support Community is to uplift and strengthen people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care. It is our devotion to this mission that has led to our support for H.R. 842, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Act.” – Sally Werner, CEO, Cancer Support Community
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
“H.R. 842 is perhaps the most consequential health care legislation currently pending in Congress. It will significantly improve the nation’s cancer screening capabilities and be a major asset for women’s health.” – Chad Ramsey, Policy Vice President, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
Prevent Cancer Foundation
“We thank you for your continued leadership on this legislation to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries, and their health care providers, have access to these transformative new early detection tests. We are calling on Congress to quickly get the job done.” – Prevent Cancer Foundation
The National Grange
“H.R. 842 will deliver meaningful progress in our nation’s ability to combat cancer, particularly for those of us who live in rural communities. Rural communities are counting on Congress to ensure they are not left behind in the fight against cancer.” – Christine E. Hamp, President, The National Grange
Fight Colorectal Cancer
“Prevention and early detection makes all the difference for colorectal cancer patients and these benefits should extend to all cancer patients as new technology comes to market.” – Molly McDonnell, Vice President of Advocacy, Fight Colorectal Cancer
GO2 for Lung Cancer
“This is, without question, the most popular health care bill pending in Congress. It has the support of hundreds of organizations from across the patient advocacy and health care delivery spectrum and is supported by nearly 300 members of the House and more than 60 Senators.” – Laurie Fenton Ambrose, President and CEO, GO2 for Lung Cancer
National Minority Quality Forum Action Network
“When it comes to cancer, there is no more effective means for reducing this risk than early detection.” – Gary A. Puckrein, PhD, President and CEO, National Minority Quality Forum Action Network
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts
“For firefighters, and for the millions of Americans who will face a cancer diagnosis this year, access to MCED screenings could be the difference between life and death.” – Richard D. MacKinnon Jr., President, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts
Gilda’s Club of Kansas City
“Congress has the opportunity to greatly reduce the burden of cancer by ensuring meaningful Medicare coverage for early detection screenings. Federal policy must not lag behind scientific innovation…Missouri families are counting on this legislation, and the cancer community stands ready to support efforts that will secure its passage.” – Megan Hunter, CEO, Gilda’s Club of Kansas City
Research!America
“…[T]hese bipartisan measures help ensure that breakthroughs in American science translate into timely benefits for patients.” – Ellie Dehoney, Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Research!America
Exact Sciences
“Congressional action to advance the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act is a critical step in addressing the nearly 70 percent of cancer cases and deaths that have no recommended screening. This legislation is a real investment in innovation and the health and well-being of Medicare beneficiaries.” – Kevin Conroy, CEO, Exact Sciences
Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute
“Measured by its number of cosponsors from both parties, H.R. 842 is the most popular health care legislation in Congress. Support throughout Texas and indeed across the country is vast.” – Gray Rutledge, Communications Director, Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute
California Life Sciences
“CLS applauds the bipartisan efforts and commitments Congress and the Administration have shown to fight cancer and support patients, and appreciate your committee’s efforts to advance this crucial piece of legislation.” – Mike Guerra, President and CEO, California Life Sciences
Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act (H.R. 5343)
Provides for transitional Medicare coverage of breakthrough medical devices to encourage more health care innovation and ensure patients are not left waiting six years for the breakthrough device that could save their life.
AdvaMed
“We greatly appreciate the panel’s leadership in strengthening Medicare, improving patient access, and supporting medical innovation.” – AdvaMed
Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) Action
“On behalf of AMAC Action, the advocacy affiliate of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC), with over 2 million members nationwide, I write to offer our strong support for your legislation, H.R. 5343, the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act.” – Andrew J. Mangione, Senior Vice President, Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) Action
Novocure
“This important legislation establishes a separate Medicare coverage pathway for innovative medical technologies so that patients have access to novel treatments that have the potential to improve health outcomes and enable them to live longer and healthier lives.” – Katie Meyer, Vice President, Novocure
Research!America
“H.R. 5343 complements this effort by addressing broader coverage and reimbursement hurdles for breakthrough technologies, ensuring that patients are not left waiting years between FDA approval and Medicare access. Both bills recognize that medical innovation begins to deliver societal value when it reaches the people who need it.” – Ellie Dehoney, Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Research!America
Biocom California
“The Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act offers a proactive solution to the challenges of integrating breakthrough devices into Medicare coverage. By providing immediate coverage, facilitating immediate patient access, and establishing pathways for continued support, this legislation enhances the potential of medical innovations to save lives and improve the quality of care nationwide.” – Tim Scott, President and CEO, Biocom California
Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council
“The Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act will help bring the most innovative treatment tools to some of America’s most vulnerable patients: our seniors.” – Brian Johnson, President, Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council
California Life Sciences
“CLS, on behalf of our members, remains focused on working with Congress to pass this critical piece of legislation, which would provide immediate coverage and access for FDA-approved breakthrough designated products.” – Mike Guerra, President and CEO, California Life Sciences