The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act creates a path forward for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection tests

WASHINGTON, D.C. – GO2 for Lung Cancer (GO2) applauds Representatives Jodey Arrington, (R-TX), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Richard Hudson (R-NC), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) for introducing a bill that will provide Medicare beneficiaries with timely access to multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests when they have been approved by the FDA.

Currently, there are only recommended screening tests for five cancers, including lung cancer, for those who are deemed high risk. The result is that too many cancers are caught in late stages when outcomes are poor and costs are higher. MCED allows people at increased risk for cancer, such as older adults, to receive screenings for dozens of cancer types at one time with a simple blood draw. Leaders in Congress have recognized that access to these new tests is essential to realizing their significant benefit.

“The Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act will help remove barriers that could prevent use of the tests by those most at-risk for lung cancer,” said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, co-founder, president and CEO of GO2. “Representatives Arrington, Sewell, Hudson, and Ruiz are doing the important work of championing access to multi-cancer early detection tests within Medicare. The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act will help remove barriers that could prevent use of the tests by those most at-risk for all cancers – older Americans. We urge others to join them in this fight.”

In the 117th Congress, the bill garnered the support of more than 300 cosponsors in both the House and Senate. Learn more about the re-introduced legislation here.