Earlier today, Senate Bill 3098 was unanimously voted out of the Senate Commerce 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 Budget & Appropriations Committee for further consideration. In October, the Assembly Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee approved identical legislation (Assembly Bill 4163), which now awaits a hearing in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Biomarker testing is a precision medicine tool that utilizes information from patients’ cells to determine the right treatment at the right time by matching patients with targeted therapies. Results from patients’ biomarker tests can also provide information about risk and prognosis, both of which may help patients avoid treatments that will be ineffective or unnecessary.
Multiple myeloma survivor Regina Toomey Bueno received biomarker testing during her treatment and, through her testimony this morning, shared with Committee members how it informed her survivorship.
During the hearing, Toomey Bueno said, “Because of biomarker testing, I got the right targeted therapy and avoided an extremely complicated medical procedure. Multiple myeloma patients often receive bone marrow transplants as part of their initial treatment, but because of my biomarkers, I did not have to undergo the arduous and expensive procedure.” She concluded, “Every patient deserves the opportunity to avoid unnecessary and invasive procedures, like I did. During an incredibly difficult time in their lives, patients should be afforded the clearest path to remission. Biomarker testing gives that to patients, and today Senate Commerce Committee members took a meaningful step toward expanding access.”
The power of biomarker testing extends beyond cancer care to the treatment of diseases such as arthritis, other autoimmune conditions and rare diseases.
Peggy Lotkowictz dealt with severe discomfort related to her rheumatoid arthritis for nearly 20 years before she found relief through a drug that targeted the protein triggering her inflammatory response. She would not have learned about the drug if she did not undergo biomarker testing.
“My pain was relentless. If not for my biomarker test, I would still be experiencing that overwhelming pain and searching for a miracle,” said Lotkowictz at the hearing. “I have been stable for 10 years thanks to this targeted medication. I credit biomarker testing with saving me from whole-body discomfort and further joint destruction. It’s given me a newfound energy and quality of life that every patient with a chronic or terminal illness deserves. I’ll be using this energy to urge lawmakers to gift patients this incredible resource in 2025.”
There is consensus across medical and public health leaders that biomarker testing is increasingly important to reducing risk of death, improving quality of life for many cancer patients and spurring innovation for new treatments. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has mobilized this support, spearheading a coalition to improve New Jerseyans’ access through Senate Bill 3098 / Assembly Bill 4163.
Quinton Law, Government Relations Director for ACS CAN in New Jersey, said, "Biomarker testing and precision medicine are improving lives by tailoring treatments to the specific subtype disease each patient faces. For patients like Regina and Peggy, this testing has meant more effective care and better outcomes, offering renewed hope. Yet, too many people still struggle to access biomarker tests due to barriers, including inadequate insurance coverage. At ACS CAN, we hear these heartbreaking stories every day. It’s time to eliminate these barriers and ensure everyone who can benefit from biomarker testing has access to it."
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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.
