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Vermont Cancer Advocates Convene at State House to 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 Mike Rollo, ACS CAN Vermont director of government relations.  “There are significant disparities in health outcomes for Vermont 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 Vermont to ...

Rhode Island Senate Votes to Remove Barriers to Biomarker Testing

... Despite its benefits, access to biomarker testing has not kept pace with the rate of innovation due in part to lack of coverage by private health insurance and Medicaid for needed testing. Senate Bill 2201 aims to enable more Rhode Islanders to benefit from biomarker testing, a ... Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Rhode Island: "Biomarker testing and precision medicine are helping extend and improve lives by tailoring care and treatment to a person’s individual condition. Over the past many months, we have heard countless stories of the difficulties a patient ... and the Rhode Island Senate for approving this legislation. We urge the House to follow suit and also take this critical step towards reducing health inequities and improving cancer outcomes." For more information on precision medicine, cancer biomarkers, current barriers to biomarker ...

Expand Access to Biomarker Testing in Massachusetts

... more Massachusetts residents can benefit from this important testing. Video of maggies_biomarker_story   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 ...

Expand Access to Biomarker Testing in Hawaii

... sure more residents of Hawai'i can benefit from this important testing. Video of maggies_biomarker_story   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 ...

Expand Access to Biomarker Testing in North Carolina

... sure more North Carolinians can benefit from this important testing. Video of ethans_biomarker_story   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 ...

Cancer Advocates Urge California Legislators to Take Critical Step to Connect Patients with Most Effective Treatment Options

... cancer was low,” said Punita Khanna , ACS CAN volunteer and breast cancer survivor.  Biomarker testing is increasingly important for cancer care – and for the treatment of other diseases including arthritis, other autoimmune conditions and rare diseases, with research happening in ... Director for ACS CAN.   “In California, we believe in taking care of each other and strive toward a more just and equitable society. Reducing health insurance coverage barriers to this essential testing could help avoid exacerbating existing health disparities in outcomes and bring the promise of precision medicine to more Californians, no matter their race, income, zip code or ...

Bill Increasing Access to Biomarker Testing for Certain Coloradans Becomes Law

... and successfully underwent testing after her insurance company denied coverage for testing. “Biomarker testing was a gamechanger in my cancer care,” said Dennis. “Knowing my results informed my team of doctors to the best treatments options possible. Even more Coloradans should ... more Coloradans have access to testing when they need it.” Under SB24-124, over one million Coloradans or roughly 33% of those with private health insurance coverage will now benefit from improved coverage for biomarker testing. Unfortunately, the law does not include coverage for Medicaid enrollees which accounts for more than 1.6 million Coloradans, according to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.  “While today is a win for Coloradans who are battling cancer and other diseases, it’s important we ...

Legislature Prioritizing Removing Barriers to Precision Treatments

... medicine treatments, is covered by Medicaid. Biomarker testing and precision medicine are helping extend and improve lives by tailoring care and treatment to a person’s specific type of cancer.  “Biomarker testing made a huge difference in my life,” said Erin Nielson, a ... my cancer’s DNA would not benefit from chemotherapy. In previous years, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation would have been the standard of care for my type of cancer.” This legislation will help address a significant barrier and bring the promise of precision medicine to more people, ... 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 ...

Marylanders to Gain Access to Biomarker Testing on Jan. 1

... received near-unanimous support in the Senate and House of Delegates. Governor Wes Moore’s signature in May earned the praise of public health advocates and medical leaders. The law will go into effect for private health plans on January 1, ahead of the timeline for Medicaid coverage; Medicaid enrollees will receive coverage for biomarker testing as of July 1, 2025. Biomarker testing has become a game-changing part of cancer care given its role in opening the door to targeted treatments that can lead to improved survivorship and quality of life.  Despite the proven ...

Cancer Survivors Thank New Mexico State Lawmakers for Passing Biomarker Testing Bill

... the signature of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, the bill will expand access to biomarker testing statewide, helping to revolutionize cancer care in New Mexico.  In 2023, more than 11,000 New Mexicans are projected to be diagnosed with cancer and, of those, nearly 3,000 are expected to ... in cancer outcomes by race, ethnicity, income, and geography could increase. Biomarker testing has become a game-changing part of cancer care in recent years as it’s a necessary first step in opening the door to targeted treatments that can lead to survivorship and quality of life. ... are historically marginalized – are being left behind.   “My colleagues in the New Mexico State Legislature have taken a major step toward health equity and improving access to personalized medicine in our state,” said Rep. Joy Garratt, co-sponsor of HB73 and ovarian cancer survivor. ...

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