Key public health, patient and provider groups have come out in support of improving access to biomarker testing in New Jersey, urging lawmakers to advance and pass Assembly Bill 4163 / Senate Bill 3098 this legislative session. This fall, a broad coalition of over 30 organizations, medical leaders and patient advocates wrote to members of the Assembly Financial Institutions & Insurance (AFI) Committee to vote in favor of A4163, which they did—unanimously—several weeks ago. Now, the New Jersey Biomarker Coalition is looking to the Assembly Appropriations and Senate Commerce Committees to take up this bill and follow the lead of their AFI member colleagues.
Biomarker testing opens the door to treatments that can lead to fewer side effects, improved survival, better quality of life and potentially lower costs for patients. There is strong consensus among medical and public health leaders across New Jersey that biomarker testing is an increasingly critical asset in cancer care and the treatment of other diseases.
Despite evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of biomarker testing and targeted therapy, currently not all New Jerseyans benefit equitably from these advances. A recent study found that 31% of New Jerseyans are covered by plans that have more restrictive coverage than what is recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® guidelines for several common advanced cancers.
“In the last year, our neighbors in New York and Pennsylvania took significant steps to improve patient access to biomarker testing, empowering those battling disease with the ability to pursue personalized treatment plans,” said Quinton Law, Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “It’s time for New Jersey state leaders to follow suit and recognize this legislation as an opportunity to expand the promise of precision medicine to all residents—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, income, or zip code. By passing this bill, we can ensure more patients in New Jersey have equitable access to the cutting-edge care they need and deserve.”
New Jerseyans’ access to biomarker testing will be a key issue in the remaining month of the year with patient advocates, clinical researchers and policy experts weighing in on the benefits of increased access to and utilization of biomarker testing.
Among the New Jerseyans lending their voice to this effort is Doreen Monks, who testified in front of the AFI Committee in October. She shared how biomarker testing, which she did not have access to, could have made a difference for her when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s nine years ago.
"Long before dementia biomarker testing, I was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Nine years I pushed hard against this disease that took everything from me. Earlier this year I learned, after having an amyloid PET scan, that I never had Alzheimer's disease. I lost nine years of my life that I'll never get back,” said Monks. “Making biomarkers available to everyone, ensures no one else has to lose time experiencing life, succeeding in their career and enjoying their families. Most importantly, making biomarkers available to all means to never lose hope."
The Alzheimer’s Association and the many other disease organizations that are pushing for lawmakers to prioritize A4163 / S3098 understand biomarker testing as a critical tool in researching and developing tools to fight disease.
For more information on precision medicine, cancer biomarkers, current barriers to biomarker testing and ACS CAN’s policy recommendations, visit: www.fightcancer.org/biomarkers.
Advocacy organizations supporting A4163 / S3098:
ACS CAN
AiArthritis
ALS Association
Alzheimer’s Association
American Association of Clinical Urologists
American Kidney Fund
American Lung Association
Arthritis Foundation
Biomarker Collaborative
CancerCare
Cancer Support Community/Gilda’s Club
CLL Society
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
Debbie's Dream Fdtn: Curing Stomach Cancer
FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer
Empowered
End Preeclampsia
Exon20 Group
Fight Colorectal Cancer
Global Colon Cancer Association
Global Liver Institute
Go2 for Lung Cancer
ICAN - International Cancer
Advocacy Network
KRAS Kickers
Lung Cancer Research Foundation
LUNGevity Foundation
Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc.
MET Crusaders
Melanoma Research Foundation
Michael J. Fox Foundation
National Comprehensive Cancer Network®
National Organization for Rare Diseases
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
No Stomach for Cancer
NJ State Society of Physician Assistants
Oncology Nursing Society
One Cancer Place
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
Patient Empowerment Network
Patients Rising
PD-L1 Amplifieds
Sister2Sister NJ
Susan G. Komen
Target Cancer Foundation
Tiger Lily Foundation
Triage Cancer
VHL Alliance
Zero Prostate Cancer
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.
