OLYMPIA, Wash. - February 5, 2024 – Cancer patients, survivors, their families and caregivers from throughout Washington gathered at the Capitol on Monday to ask legislators to support House Bill 1450, which would have expanded insurance coverage of biomarker testing and made sure as many state residents as possible have access to this technology. They were disappointed to learn that the bill did not advance through House Appropriations and so instead turned their efforts and advocacy to the 2025 session.
“While we are disappointed by the legislature not moving HB 1450 forward, we are determined to keep advocating for patients to have access to biomarker testing and the treatment that is right for them,” said Matt Helder, Washington Government Relations Director. “Washington is known as a national leader in research of precision medicine. We can’t afford to let Washington keep falling behind states like Arkansas and Kentucky when it comes to access to those breakthroughs.”
The event was part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s annual Cancer Action Day, an event that brought nearly 70 people affected by cancer together to call on the Washington Legislature to make cancer a policy priority.
Beyond its game-changing contributions to cancer care, biomarker testing is important in the treatment of arthritis, other autoimmune conditions and rare diseases, with ongoing research happening in many other areas including Alzheimer’s, other neurological conditions, heart conditions and more. Without coverage for appropriate biomarker testing, patients and their families are often faced with the decision of paying for these tests out-of-pocket or forgoing them altogether.
This year, more than 44,000 Washingtonians will be diagnosed with cancer and an estimated 13,640 will die from the disease. Those who traveled to the Capitol will continue to work with legislators to change that and urge them to get biomarker access expanded in 2025. Eventual passage of this legislation will make sure more residents have insurance coverage that allows for easy access to precision medicine.
###
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.
