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.
The following is a statement from Donna Greco, Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Pennsylvania:
"Biomarker testing and precision medicine are helping extend and improve lives by tailoring care and treatment to a person’s individual condition. Over the past few months, we have heard countless stories of the difficulties and inconsistencies patients face in attempting to access this important testing. It’s time for that to change.
"This legislation will help address a significant barrier and open the door to the promise of precision medicine for more patients, no matter their income, race or where they live. Biomarker testing can help patients efficiently access the most effective treatment and may provide them with many benefits, including better outcomes, improved quality of life and in some cases reduced costs from bypassing ineffective therapies.
"ACS CAN thanks Representative Mullins and Minority Leader Cutler for championing this effort and the House Insurance Committee for advancing this legislation. We are also grateful to our Senate sponsors, Senators Devlin Robinson and Lisa Boscola, for their care in advocating for this legislation, that would help people across the disease continuum, including those impacted by ALS, Alzheimer’s and arthritis, among others.
“We ask the House to swiftly pass House Bill 1754 so that the Senate can follow suit and take this critical step towards reducing health inequities and improving health outcomes before the end of session."
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) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, 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 stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.
