Biomarker testing is key to unlocking precision medicine.
Biomarkers are often used to help determine the best treatment for a patient, but not all communities are benefitting from the latest advancements in biomarker testing and precision medicine.
Progress in improving cancer outcomes increasingly involves the use of precision medicine. Biomarker testing is an important step for accessing precision medicine including targeted therapies that can lead to improved survivorship and better quality of life for cancer patients. But 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 is working to expand insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing.
Biomarker testing coverage for all state-regulated plans: AZ, CA, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, MD, MN, NM, NY, OK, PA, RI, TX Biomarker testing coverage for some plans: AR, CO, CT, FL, LA Legislation introduced: HI, MA, ME, NV, NJ, OH, VT, WA, WV
*Arkansas and Louisiana laws apply to state-regulated private plans **Florida law applies to Medicaid and state employee health plan. ***Connecticut law applies to Medicaid.
Biomarker testing helps ensure cancer patients get the right treatment at the right time.
It allows doctors to precisely target a specific cancer so patients may not have to undergo more generalized treatments like chemo and radiation that may not work as well for them.
Biomarker testing is the latest advanced in cancer research that is personal to the patient and their cancer, helping ensure patients get the right treatment at the right time.
Today, Governor Shapiro signed House Bill 1754 into law, securing a major win for patients across Pennsylvania. The new law will require all state-regulated health plans, including Medicaid, to cover comprehensive biomarker testing, which will enable more Pennsylvanians to access biomarker testing that can open the door to precision medicine. Targeted treatment can lead to fewer side effects, improved survival, better quality of life and potentially lower costs for patients facing cancer and other serious illnesses.
Earlier today, the Pennsylvania State Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1754, the bipartisan proposal to increase access to biomarker testing. The bill will now go to Governor Shapiro’s desk, providing him the opportunity to ensure coverage of this essential testing for more Pennsylvanians. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the PA Biomarker Testing Coalition are advocating for this significant policy change to ensure more cancer patients and people with other illnesses and diseases can get the testing needed to access precision medicine.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB885 into law, which expands patient access to biomarker testing, a key tool used by physicians to identify the most effective treatment of cancer and other diseases.
Advances in precision medicine have led to targeted cancer therapies that have improved patient outcomes and quality of life within populations of cancer patients with very specific biomarkers. Testing patients for cancer biomarkers is integral to identify those who may benefit from targeted therapy. Despite the importance of such testing, many cancer patients are not tested for biomarkers. This fact sheet highlights recent advancements in targeted cancer therapies and data from ACS CAN Survivor Views surveys of cancer patients and survivors assessing barriers to biomarker testing.