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Letter: Bill supports biomarker testing
January 29, 2025
This letter originally ran in the Lincoln Journal Star.
Biomarker testing opens the door to precision medicine, which can increase survivorship and quality of life for cancer patients. Precision medicine is revolutionizing cancer care, and people need access to it.
As a volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, I was excited to see Sen. Eliot Bostar introduce a bill that would expand access to this type of testing so that more of our family, friends and neighbors could benefit from personalized medicine and targeted treatments.
Currently, many Nebraskans don’t have access to the biomarker testing they need, in part because their health care insurance plan doesn’t cover it. Despite the enormous proven benefits, some insurers have failed to keep pace with innovations and advancements in biomarker testing and treatment. This results in some patients being forced to decide whether to pay out-of-pocket or go without the needed testing.
I was lucky to have access to biomarker testing through a private insurance plan when I was diagnosed, and I’m certain that biomarker testing saved my life by getting me on the right treatment as quickly as possible. So many others are less fortunate, which is why this bill is incredibly important toward ensuring Nebraska remains in a leadership position when it comes to top-tier cancer care.
Thank you, Sen. Bostar, for taking this first step to enacting this important legislation. Let’s work together to get your colleagues on board.
Frank Sierawski, Omaha