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Patient Advocates Rally in Times Square for New Yorkers’ Access to Precision Medicine, Urge Governor Hochul to Sign Biomarker Testing Legislation

NEW YORK, NY – November 16, 2023 – Earlier today, cancer survivors gathered in Times Square alongside health care providers and patient advocates to emphasize the importance of biomarker testing for the health of New York State, its people and its potential for an equitable, hope-filled future. Attendees of the rally called on Governor Hochul to ...

Expand Access to Biomarker Testing in Minnesota

... partners are working together to make sure more Minnesotans can benefit from this important testing.   What is Biomarker Testing? In cancer care, biomarkers are often used to help determine the best treatment for a patient . A “ biomarker ” is a sign of a normal biological process, ... that have been excluded, including communities of color, individuals with lower socioeconomic status, rural communities, and those receiving care in non-academic medical centers are less likely to receive biomarker testing. Improving coverage for and access to biomarker testing across insurance types is key to reducing health disparities. Without action to expand coverage and access to biomarker testing, advances in precision medicine could increase existing ...

Georgia General Assembly Passes Bill That Could Improve Cancer Survivorship by Expanding Access to Biomarker Testing, Necessary First Step in Personalizing Treatment

... disease.   Revolutionizing cancer treatment over the last few decades, biomarker testing can provide access to targeted treatment; tailoring care to a person’s individual disease. Targeted therapies often result in improved quality of life and survivorship. Patients with certain lung ... Network (ACS CAN).  “The General Assembly recognizes the importance of those scientific advancements and that true progress in Georgians’ health lies in ensuring more people across our great state have access to such innovations,”  Despite its benefits and increasingly important ... biomarker testing has not kept pace with the rate of innovation and advancements in treatment. One significant barrier for patients is lack of health insurance coverage for appropriate testing.  Close to 60% of the oncology drugs launched in the past five years require or recommend ...

Expand Access to Biomarker Testing in New Jersey

... are working together to make sure more New Jersey residents can benefit from this important testing.   What is Biomarker Testing? In cancer care, biomarkers are often used to help determine the best treatment for a patient . A “ biomarker ” is a sign of a normal biological process, ... are less likely to receive biomarker testing. Improving coverage for and access to biomarker testing across insurance types is key to reducing health disparities. Insurance coverage for biomarker testing is failing to keep pace with innovations and advancements in treatment. Without action ... precision_medicine_and_biomarker_testing_fact_sheet_january_2025.pdf precision_medicine_and_biomarker_testing_fact_sheet_january_2025.pdf health_equity_in_biomarker_testing_and_targeted_therapy_december2024.pdf   Videos: Video of ...

Senate Introduces Legislation to Increase Californians’ Access to Lifesaving Testing and Innovative Treatments

... teamed up to sponsor this important next step in ensuring cancer patients have access to precision medicine. The UC system is a leader in cancer care through the UC Cancer Consortium which comprises five of the nation's 51 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. ... cancer diagnosis across the state on an equitable basis,” said Carrie L. Byington, M.D., executive vice president of University of California Health. “California has the opportunity to be among the leaders in the nation with this legislation.” Despite its benefits, access to biomarker ... due to several factors, including low awareness of new testing methodologies among providers and patients and lack of coverage by private health insurance and Medicaid programs. “Biomarker testing and precision medicine have led to improved patient survival and quality of life,” ...

Biomarker Testing Bill Passes Senate Committee, Advances to Senate Floor

... Co-Director of the Precision Medicine Initiative at Sydney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson, is a strong proponent of expanding health coverage of biomarker testing for more plans. In a recent visit to Harrisburg to advocate for lawmakers’ support of House Bill 1754, Dr. Johnson said, “Over the last two decades, oncologists’ vision of ‘high quality care’ has increasingly involved the use of precision medicine. Unfortunately, patients are not benefitting equitably from precision medicine, in ... Mullins, Minority Leader Cutler and Senators Robinson and Boscola in pursuing a policy that has drawn the support of providers, public health leaders and patients across the disease spectrum. We hope their colleagues in the Senate heed the call to expand the promise of precision ...

Cancer Survivors Convene in Hartford, Urge Lawmakers to Expand Access to Biomarker Testing

... in who is benefiting from biomarker testing and biomarker-informed treatment. “Biomarker testing is essential to high-quality, personalized care for many conditions and can be a real gamechanger for many patients, but unfortunately, not everyone who can benefit from biomarker testing is getting it,” said Bryte Johnson, ACS CAN Connecticut director of government relations.   “There are significant disparities in health outcomes for Connecticut patients by race, income, and insurance type. Without addressing barriers to care, breakthroughs in personalized treatments could increase these disparities in health outcomes. Already, 20 states have passed similar laws to increase access to comprehensive biomarker testing—and it’s time for ...

Biomarker Testing Bill Passes Assembly Hurdle, Vote Follows Testimony from Breast Cancer Survivors

... bills will receive the necessary support to secure swift passage in the new year. Biomarker testing has become a game-changing part of patient care given its role in opening the door to precision medicine treatments that can lead to improved survivorship and quality of life. Two breast ... a treatment plan specifically for me, and today, I’m in remission,” said Adams. “As woman of color who has navigated many barriers to health care throughout my life, I know how critical it is to prioritize access to resources such as biomarker testing. If we don’t act to expand ... advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in ...

‘Delaware Advocacy Day’ Brings Patient Advocates to Dover to Discuss Affordability of Biomarker Testing

... his administration. He visited with advocates today to hear firsthand why removing barriers to this vital tool is essential to patients and the health care and equity landscape in Delaware. Advocates from both ACS CAN and ALZ are hopeful that state lawmakers join the governor in prioritizing ... advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in ...

Lawmakers Take Critical Step to Revolutionize Cancer Treatment in Florida, State’s Second Leading Cause of Death

... ( HB 885 and SB 964 ) that will allow more Floridians to access biomarker testing , which has become an increasingly important part of cancer care in recent years. The bill will ensure more patients have the opportunity to benefit from this game-changing testing. Patients who are ... “By aligning coverage for biomarker testing with the latest science, we can help increase access to precision medicine that can lead to better health outcomes and potentially reduce costs by allowing some Floridians to bypass costly and ineffective treatments and instead quickly identify ... advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as ...

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