HARTFORD, CT – Legislation has been introduced, Senate Bill 307, that would ensure biomarker testing, a game changer in the fight against cancer and an essential step in accessing precision medicine treatments, is covered by Medicaid. Biomarker testing and precision medicine are helping extend and improve lives by tailoring care and treatment to a person’s specific type of cancer.
“Biomarker testing made a huge difference in my life,” said Erin Nielson, a cancer survivor in Bethel, CT. “I was diagnosed with breast cancer and what's truly remarkable is that biomarker test results indicated that my cancer’s DNA would not benefit from chemotherapy. In previous years, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation would have been the standard of care for my type of cancer.”
This legislation will help address a significant barrier and bring the promise of precision medicine to more people, no matter their race or where they live. Personalized treatments based on a patient’s biomarkers can provide many benefits, including better outcomes, improved quality of life, and, in some cases, like Erin’s, reduced costs from bypassing ineffective therapies.
"The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) thanks Sen. Matt Lesser and Rep. Jillian Gilchrest for championing this effort,” said Bryte Johnson, government relations director, ACS CAN. “In 2024, approximately 6,440 Connecticuters will die from cancer. Improved access to biomarker testing can connect more patients to the most effective treatments, enabling more patients to live longer and have a better chance of beating cancer.”
For more information on precision medicine, cancer biomarkers, current barriers to biomarker testing and ACS CAN’s policy recommendations, visit www.fightcancer.org/biomarkers.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN empowers volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence evidence-based public policy change that improves the lives of people with cancer and their families. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality, affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.
