U.S. Senators Introduce Bill to Help Medicare Patients Receive Cancer Screening Tests

August 09, 2023 by Alec Stone MA, MPA, Former ONS Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy

The legislation (https://www.finance.senate.gov/download/mced_118) would provide Medicare coverage for screening tests to detect cancer before symptoms develop, possibly saving lives and reducing healthcare system costs. Its key features (https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/mced_118.pdf) include:

“Multicancer early detection testing technologies have the potential to provide a vital new tool in the fight against cancer, transforming the screening landscape to detect as many as dozens of cancer types, often long before symptoms even emerge,” Crapo said (https://www.finance.senate.gov/ranking-members-news/senators-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-ensure-medicare-beneficiaries-receive-coverage-for-cancer-detection-technologies). “Bennet and I are reintroducing our bipartisan legislation to ensure Medicare coverage for these lifesaving screening tools, enabling seniors from across the country to access proven multicancer early detection tests. The bill has the potential to save and enhance lives, as well as reduce long-term cost burdens for patients, families, and caregivers.”

“I know from my personal experience with cancer that early detection can make all the difference and save lives,” Bennet said (https://www.finance.senate.gov/ranking-members-news/senators-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-ensure-medicare-beneficiaries-receive-coverage-for-cancer-detection-technologies). “That’s why it’s so important for the U.S. Congress to pass this bill.”


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