Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act | ChamberLight
Bills · S 755
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 755MedicareHealth care coverage and access
Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act
INTRO FEB 26· LAST ACTION FEB 26
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it addresses a critical gap in access to personalized cancer care. Advanced diagnostic tests, such as DNA and RNA sequencing, can provide detailed information about a patient's tumor, allowing doctors to select more targeted and potentially more effective treatments. Without consistent coverage, these tests can be prohibitively expensive, creating financial barriers for many patients.
If this bill becomes law, more Americans with cancer, regardless of their income or age, would be able to access cutting-edge diagnostics, which could lead to better treatment outcomes and potentially save lives. If it doesn't pass, access to these crucial tests would continue to vary, often depending on a patient's insurance plan or ability to pay out-of-pocket, potentially delaying or preventing access to optimal, personalized cancer care.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Medicare will cover specific cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests, including various forms of next-generation sequencing, for individuals diagnosed with cancer, effective 6 months after the bill's enactment.
This provision ensures that seniors and eligible disabled individuals have access to advanced cancer diagnostics, helping to guide personalized treatment decisions.
PROVISION 02
The bill amends Medicare to ensure that the covered cancer diagnostic tests have an 80% payment rate (or 100% for assignment-related payments) and are exempt from the standard deductible.
This makes these critical tests more affordable and accessible for Medicare beneficiaries by reducing their out-of-pocket costs.
PROVISION 03
States will be required to include these cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests as part of their mandatory medical assistance under Medicaid, effective January 1, 2027.
This expands access to advanced cancer diagnostics for low-income individuals across the country, ensuring more equitable care.
PROVISION 04
CHIP will be required to cover cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests for targeted low-income children and pregnant women, starting January 1, 2025.
This ensures that vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women also have access to these important diagnostic tools.
PROVISION 05
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the National Human Genome Research Institute, shall establish an education and awareness program for physicians and the public on genomic testing and the role of genetic counselors.
This initiative aims to increase understanding and appropriate utilization of advanced genomic tests in cancer care.
This bill matters because it addresses a critical gap in access to personalized cancer care. Advanced diagnostic tests, such as DNA and RNA sequencing, can provide detailed information about a patient's tumor, allowing doctors to select more targeted and potentially more effective treatments. Without consistent coverage, these tests can be prohibitively expensive, creating financial barriers for many patients.
If this bill becomes law, more Americans with cancer, regardless of their income or age, would be able to access cutting-edge diagnostics, which could lead to better treatment outcomes and potentially save lives. If it doesn't pass, access to these crucial tests would continue to vary, often depending on a patient's insurance plan or ability to pay out-of-pocket, potentially delaying or preventing access to optimal, personalized cancer care.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Medicare will cover specific cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests, including various forms of next-generation sequencing, for individuals diagnosed with cancer, effective 6 months after the bill's enactment.
This provision ensures that seniors and eligible disabled individuals have access to advanced cancer diagnostics, helping to guide personalized treatment decisions.
high
The bill amends Medicare to ensure that the covered cancer diagnostic tests have an 80% payment rate (or 100% for assignment-related payments) and are exempt from the standard deductible.
This makes these critical tests more affordable and accessible for Medicare beneficiaries by reducing their out-of-pocket costs.
high
States will be required to include these cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests as part of their mandatory medical assistance under Medicaid, effective January 1, 2027.
This expands access to advanced cancer diagnostics for low-income individuals across the country, ensuring more equitable care.
med
CHIP will be required to cover cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests for targeted low-income children and pregnant women, starting January 1, 2025.
This ensures that vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women also have access to these important diagnostic tools.
med
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the National Human Genome Research Institute, shall establish an education and awareness program for physicians and the public on genomic testing and the role of genetic counselors.
This initiative aims to increase understanding and appropriate utilization of advanced genomic tests in cancer care.
6 months after the date of enactment of this subparagraph
Medicare coverage for cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests begins
January 1, 2025
CHIP coverage of cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests begins
January 1, 2027
Medicaid mandatory coverage of cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests begins
First day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act
Medicaid State plan compliance for states requiring legislation
GLOSSARY
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Microarray analysis
A laboratory technique used to study many genes at once to see if a patient has certain gene changes, such as mutations, that might be related to cancer.
DNA sequencing
A laboratory method used to figure out the exact order of the building blocks (nucleotides) that make up a DNA molecule, which can identify genetic changes in a tumor.
RNA sequencing
A laboratory method used to examine the RNA molecules in a cell or tumor, providing information about which genes are active and how they are behaving.
Whole-exome sequencing
A type of DNA sequencing that focuses specifically on the protein-coding parts of genes (exons) to find genetic changes that might cause disease.
Next-generation sequencing
A group of modern technologies that allow for rapid and large-scale sequencing of DNA or RNA, used to find genetic changes in conditions like cancer.
Clinical laboratory
A facility where tests are done on biological samples (like blood or tissue) to get information for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease.
Genomic testing
Tests that look at a person's entire genetic makeup (genome) or specific parts of it to find changes that might affect health or response to treatment.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
FEB 26, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
FEB 26, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
A federal health insurance program for people 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease.
Medicaid
A joint federal and state program that helps cover healthcare costs for low-income individuals and families.
CHIP
The Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides low-cost health coverage to children and pregnant women in families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.
