The Pennsylvania Legislature passed and Governor Shapiro certified the 2024-25 budget—the contents of which reflect a step in the right direction in the effort to end cancer as we know it for everyone.
Today, Governor Shapiro signed House Bill 1754 into law, securing a major win for patients across Pennsylvania. The new law will require all state-regulated health plans, including Medicaid, to cover comprehensive biomarker testing, which will enable more Pennsylvanians to access biomarker testing that can open the door to precision medicine. Targeted treatment can lead to fewer side effects, improved survival, better quality of life and potentially lower costs for patients facing cancer and other serious illnesses.
Earlier today, the Pennsylvania State Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1754, the bipartisan proposal to increase access to biomarker testing. The bill will now go to Governor Shapiro’s desk, providing him the opportunity to ensure coverage of this essential testing for more Pennsylvanians. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the PA Biomarker Testing Coalition are advocating for this significant policy change to ensure more cancer patients and people with other illnesses and diseases can get the testing needed to access precision medicine.
Earlier this morning, House Bill 1754 was voted out of the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee. This legislation, which aims to ensure that biomarker testing is covered by Medicaid and all other state-regulated insurance plans when patients need it, now advances to the Senate floor for consideration.
This afternoon, the Pennsylvania State House passed legislation that would ensure biomarker testing is covered by more insurance plans, including Medicaid, when patients need it.
Today, the House Insurance Committee voted to improve Pennsylvanians’ access to biomarker testing, advancing House Bill 1754 out of committee unanimously. Championed by Representatives Kyle Mullins and Minority Leader Bryan Cutler, the proposal would ensure biomarker testing is a covered benefit in Pennsylvania-regulated insurance plans, including Medicaid, when medical and scientific evidence shows it would provide a benefit to patients. Advocates now look to the full House to favorably advance House Bill 1754 to the Senate.
PHILADELPHIA, PA—Yesterday, cancer patients and survivors gathered at the Philadelphia Hope Lodge to celebrate the forthcoming construction of an accessibility ramp to make the facility and gardens more accessible to guests.
Earlier today, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers rallied at the Pennsylvania State Capitol as a part of their annual Cancer Action Day advocating for several legislative proposals that aim to address the needs of patients across the cancer continuum. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) gives people impacted by cancer a powerful voice with lawmakers by holding an annual Cancer Action Day.
HARRISBURG, PA – March 6, 2024 – As state lawmakers consider proposals that aim to reduce the financial impact of disease on patients and families, a new study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) shows that medical debt is associated with worse health status, more premature de
HARRISBURG, PA – February 19, 2024 – Protecting free preventive cancer screenings and reducing the burden of medical debt are among the top issues of concern for cancer patients and survivors today, according to a new survey by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (A