New York Cancer Action Center

After months of debate, state lawmakers have finalized New York’s state budget, opting to preserve access to biomarker testing for Medicaid enrollees. The adopted budget changed language in the historic biomarker testing law, initially passed in 2023, to clarify biomarker testing is covered when it is medically necessary. The law will retain the most important criteria used for determining when testing is to be covered, drawing praise from cancer survivors and patient advocates.

Earlier today, a coalition of patient advocates, legislative champions, public health leaders and concerned cancer survivors, led by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), came together to applaud the Senate and call on Governor Hochul and Assembly leadership to join the Senate in preserving Medicaid enrollees’ access to biomarker testing.

The one-house budget proposals revealed a clear divide in the Legislature’s approach to the equitable treatment of disease. The New York State Senate flatly rejected the governor’s proposal to roll back Medicaid coverage criteria for biomarker testing, heeding the calls of cancer survivors, patient advocates and public health organizations, like the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). The Assembly took a more mixed approach accepting parts of the Governor’s proposed language while rejecting others.