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New Ad Campaign Calls on Members of Congress to Support Legislation Aiming to Increase Early Cancer Detection
Once FDA approves innovative cancer early detection and clinical benefit is shown, rapid pathway for coverage critical to ensure access to care
September 22, 2021
Washington, DC – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) launched a new advertising campaign this week highlighting its strong support for the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 1946/S. 1873), legislation that aims to improve access to new and innovative cancer screenings among Medicare beneficiaries to increase early cancer detection for more Americans once the tests are FDA approved and clinical benefit is shown. The ads will run in digital publications in the D.C. market through late October. Additional ads will also run in select markets in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Oregon through late October. The campaign is viewable here.
The ads underscore the importance of early detection in the fight against cancer, visualizing through an animation how an early diagnosis can be the difference between life and death by increasing the odds against cancer for patients. When caught at an earlier stage when the cancer is easier and less costly to treat, patients are more likely to survive. ACS CAN is urging members of Congress to cosponsor the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act as it would establish a Medicare benefit category for multi-cancer screening tests and allow the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to determine coverage for future multi-cancer screening innovations.
“Fighting cancer starts with knowing you have it, which is why early detection is so often a key indicator of successful health outcomes,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “As new and innovative screenings become available, we must ensure patients – particularly those 65 and older, who are more than seven times more likely than younger Americans to be diagnosed with cancer – can access them without delay.”
“A simple blood test could potentially revolutionize how we detect cancer at earlier stages, but only if we help patients access this innovation. Importantly, this legislation could help reduce cancer disparities by offering traditionally underserved communities a different, less invasive screening modality. ACS CAN is voicing our strong support for the bill and encouraging our legislators to do the same.”
The Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act was re-introduced in both the House and the Senate earlier this year. Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) serve as lead sponsors on this bill in the Senate and Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Tim Scott (R-SC) are original co-sponsors. Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is the bill’s sponsor in the House, and Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), and Richard Hudson (R-NC) are original co-sponsors.
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