We are excited to support the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act has been reintroduced by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. We would like to thank Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19), Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL-7), Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC-9), and Rep. Raul Ruiz, MD (D-CA-25) for their bipartisan leadership and sponsoring this important legislation.
Earlier detection of cancer broadly results in better patient outcomes, less invasive treatments, and reduced treatment costs. Currently, the most common screenings only test for five types of cancer and only 14% of cancers are found through screenings. Innovative blood-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests can screen for many cancers simultaneously and will complement existing screenings. The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare MCED Screening Coverage Act would create a Medicare coverage pathway for cutting-edge MCED tests. This is important because seniors are at the greatest risk of cancer – 70% of cancer diagnoses are in Medicare.
If Congress doesn’t act, those at highest risk will be last in line for access. The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act received enthusiastic bipartisan support (over 300 total cosponsors) in the 117th Congress, and is supported by more than 400 organizations across the U.S.
In 2023, we will continue to build upon the overwhelming support for the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare MCED Screening Coverage Act to ensure equitable access to MCED tests for Medicare beneficiaries.