Today, the Assembly Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee voted to improve New Jerseyans’ access to biomarker testing, advancing Assembly Bill 4163 out of committee. Championed by Assemblymembers Shavonda Sumter, Gary Schaer and Shama Haider, the proposal would ensure biomarker testing is covered by New Jersey-regulated insurance plans, including Medicaid, when medical and scientific evidence shows it would provide a benefit to patients. Advocates now look to the full Assembly to favorably advance Assembly Bill 4163 to the Senate.
The following is a statement from Quinton Law, Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in New Jersey:
"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 challenges patients face in attempting to access this important testing. It’s time for that to change.”
"This legislation addresses a significant barrier by opening the door to precision medicine for more patients, regardless of their income, race or where they live. Biomarker testing, an important step to accessing precision medicine, including targeted therapies, can help patients efficiently access the most effective treatment and may lead to many benefits, including better outcomes, improved quality of life and in some cases reduced costs from avoiding ineffective therapies. Without action to expand coverage of and access to biomarker testing, advances in precision medicine could increase existing disparities in cancer outcomes by race, ethnicity, income, and geography.
"ACS CAN thanks Assemblymembers Shavonda Sumter, Gary Schaer and Shama Haider for championing this effort and the Assembly Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee for advancing this legislation. We are also grateful to our Senate sponsors, Senators Vin Gopal and Troy Singleton, for their care in advocating for this legislation (S3098), that could help people across the disease continuum, including those impacted by ALS, Alzheimer’s and arthritis, among others.
“We ask the Assembly to swiftly pass Assembly Bill 4163 so that the Senate can follow suit and take this critical step towards the potential to reduce health inequities and improve 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.
###
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.
