Press Room

Today, the House Insurance Committee passed legislation that would increase access to biomarker testing.

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.

Governor Jared Polis signed SB24-124 into law during a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion on Monday afternoon, ensuring more Colorado patients with private insurance have coverage for biomarker testing. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) recognizes the signing of the bill as a positive first step to increasing access to biomarker testing to connect patients with the right treatment at the right time. During Monday’s ceremony, Governor Polis was surrounded by advocates from ACS CAN including cancer survivors, as well as bill sponsors Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Rep. Anthony Hartsook, and Rep. Monica Duran. 

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.

Gov. Ned Lamont has signed into law S.B. 307 An Act Concerning Medicaid Coverage of Biomarker Testing. This legislation will increase Connecticut Medicaid (HUSKY Health) coverage of biomarker testing, a form of precision medicine that enables patients to receive treatments personalized to their specific disease.   

S. 689 & H. 1074 would ensure all communities benefit from the same advances in medical treatment through biomarker testing

For the second year in a row, legislation to increase access to biomarker testing has failed to pass in the final days of legislative activity.

By ensuring more Mainers have biomarker testing covered by their insurance plans, we can increase access to personalized medicine and realize better outcomes for cancer patients as well other disease groups. It's time for Gov. Mills to act to make this a reality.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) applauds the Colorado General Assembly for taking a great first step to increasing access to biomarker testing by passing SB24-124. The bill was met with strong bi-partisan support in both the House and Senate. With the legislative process now complete, the bill now awaits the signature of Governor Jared Polis. If enacted, the policy would help connect more patients diagnosed with cancer or other diseases with the right treatment at the right time through biomarker testing.