BOISE, Idaho – June 2, 2026 – – The leadership of Sen. Mike Crapo in the introduction and passage of the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act was recognized recently by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, in conjunction with 10 other organizations, in presenting the 2026 Cancer Policy Champion Award.
This breakthrough legislation, passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, will provide the Medicare program with the authority to cover MCED tests once approved by the FDA and clinical benefit has been shown. Understanding the crucial role of early detection, the law provides the Medicare program with the authority to cover MCED tests, innovative tests that have the potential to detect many types of cancers at earlier stages.
Sen. Crapo was a chief sponsor of the bill starting in 2020 and eventually was joined by the entire Idaho delegation. He worked closely with his colleagues in Congress and the advocacy community to educate, build support and make the bill a reality.
“Sen. Crapo has been a source of strength in the fight against cancer since joining Congress more than two decades ago,” said Randy Johnson, ACS CAN Idaho Government Relations Director. “He has consistently used his role as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance to put these issues front and center and make sure the fight against cancer maintains the momentum we need to one day find a cure.”