(Idaho State) U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Finance Committee member Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), with Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Finance Committee member Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), reintroduced the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act that would ensure Medicare beneficiaries’ access to cutting-edge tests capable of detecting multiple types of cancer before symptoms appear. Bipartisan companion legislation (H.R. 842) was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Breakthroughs in early cancer detection can drive more effective treatments and higher survival rates,” said Crapo. “By providing a Medicare coverage pathway for multi-cancer early detection screening tests, this bipartisan bill would ensure seniors can receive lifesaving preventive care, a crucial step in combating the chronic disease epidemic. With strong support from patients and families across the country, I look forward to advancing this legislation across the finish line and to President Trump’s desk.”
“I know from personal experience that early cancer detection can make all the difference,” said Bennet. “This bipartisan legislation will help save lives by ensuring Medicare beneficiaries across the country have access to the latest, breakthrough screening technologies.”
“It should go without question that if we have the opportunity to implement more life-saving technology for diseases like cancer, we should do it,” said Scott. “I am glad to join my colleagues on this important legislation to expand Medicare coverage for multi-cancer early detection tests to save more lives.”
“The first step to beating cancer is by detecting it sooner than later,” said Wyden. “This bipartisan bill will help more seniors in Medicare get preventive screening that enables a wider range of treatment options when cancer is detected early. I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis on any effort to promote cancer treatment and prevention, including the use of the most up-to-date technologies in the Medicare program.”
The MCED would:
- Establish a coverage pathway under Medicare for certain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved MCED tests, which can screen for dozens of cancer types, many of which currently lack an effective screening option;
- Authorize the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved MCED screening tests, enabling beneficiaries to access these technologies, which currently lack a viable coverage pathway under the program;
- Maintain CMS authority to use an evidence-based process to determine coverage parameters for these new tests; and
- State that new diagnostic technologies will supplement existing screenings and will not impact existing coverage and cost-sharing.
The MCED also has broad support from leading healthcare organizations across the United States. Find quotes from the organizations here.
Bill text can be found here.
