Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means is expected to mark up the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 842). The legislation would create a pathway for Medicare enrollees to access MCED tests once the tests have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and clinical benefit has been shown. The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee is also expected to hold a hearing on this legislation tomorrow. This bill was introduced by Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Terri Sewell (D-AL).
Yesterday, more than 700 cancer advocates gathered in the nation’s capital to personally meet with lawmakers and urge them to pass the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare MCED Screening Coverage Act, among other critical cancer-fight policies as part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) annual Leadership Summit & Lobby Day.
The bipartisan legislation has the broad support of 305 members of the House of Representatives from across the political spectrum who have signed on as cosponsors. The Senate companion bill was introduced by Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) and has the support of 61 of their Senate colleagues – an overwhelming majority. In addition to congressional support, more than 550 organizations from across the country, in every state, have signed on to one or more formal letters of support.
In anticipation of today’s markup and tomorrow’s hearing, Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN, released the following statement:
“ACS CAN is thrilled that the House of Representatives is demonstrating its commitment to advancing the bipartisan Nancy Gardner Sewell Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act and will soon mark up the legislation in the Committee on Ways and Means as well as hold a subcommittee hearing in the Energy and Commerce Committee. ACS CAN has long advocated for the passage of this bill to expand access to more early detection services, and these scheduled committee actions represent a significant step toward passing the bill into law.
“We are grateful to Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) for continuing their work in the House to champion this important legislation, which has the potential to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Medicare enrollees and their families. We’re also grateful to Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) for their tireless efforts to advance this legislation in the Senate.
“Just yesterday, we were joined by over 700 cancer advocates in our nation’s capital for ACS CAN’s annual Leadership Summit & Lobby Day, where they urged their lawmakers to pass the Nancy Gardner Sewell MCED Screening Coverage Act, in addition to protecting funding for cancer research and prevention and extending the vital health care tax credits before they expire.
“In 2025, more than 2 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer and over 1 million of those cases are expected to be diagnosed in individuals over the age of 65. The Act creates a pathway to ensure timely Medicare coverage of new, innovative multi-cancer screening tests and expand access to early detection once FDA approved and clinical benefit is shown.
“We urge Congress to pass the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare MCED Screening Coverage Act to ensure access to early detection for our most vulnerable communities and save lives.”
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