Bills · HR 842
REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 842MedicareHealth care coverage and access
Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act
INTRO JAN 31· LAST ACTION OCT 3
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
338BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it could dramatically change how cancer is detected in older adults, potentially shifting from single-cancer screenings to a more comprehensive, multi-cancer approach. If successful, earlier detection could lead to less aggressive treatments, better outcomes, and potentially save lives by catching cancers before they become advanced and harder to treat.
Without this bill, multi-cancer early detection tests would likely remain an out-of-pocket expense for Medicare beneficiaries or would not be widely available, limiting access to this emerging technology. However, if it becomes law, it also raises important considerations about the costs to the Medicare program, the reliability and accuracy of these new tests, and the potential for false positives or negatives that could lead to unnecessary anxiety or further medical procedures. Voters should care about the balance between promoting innovative cancer screening and ensuring responsible, effective use of healthcare resources.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Adds 'multi-cancer early detection screening tests' as a new category of covered benefits under Medicare Part B.
This expands Medicare coverage to include innovative tests that could detect multiple cancers simultaneously, offering a new tool for early disease detection.
PROVISION 02
Defines multi-cancer early detection screening tests as those cleared or approved by the FDA, based on blood or biological samples, and deemed 'reasonable and necessary' by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
This sets the criteria and regulatory hurdles that new tests must meet to be eligible for Medicare coverage, ensuring quality and scientific validation.
PROVISION 03
Establishes an initial payment amount for these tests, linked to an existing multi-target stool screening DNA test, with a potential adjustment on or after January 1, 2031.
This provides a framework for how these new tests will be reimbursed, which is critical for manufacturers and providers.
PROVISION 04
Imposes age limits (starting at 68 in 2028, increasing annually) and frequency limits (once every 11 months) for coverage, unless the test receives an 'A' or 'B' rating from the USPSTF.
These limits aim to manage the scope and cost of coverage, while also allowing for broader access if a test is highly recommended by a leading preventive services task force.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 338
R· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
9
BILLS LED
59
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 90%
DEM 185 REP 153 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
5 EVENTSOCT 3
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-333, Part I.
SEP 17
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
SEP 17
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 43 - 0.
JAN 31
Introduced in House
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 842
Congress119th
StatusReported
IntroducedJan 31, 2025
Last actionOct 3, 2025
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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 31, 2025
House BillHR 842MedicareHealth care coverage and access
Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act
INTRODUCED JAN 31, 2025· LAST ACTION OCT 3, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
338
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
