After months of debate, state lawmakers have finalized New York’s state budget, opting to preserve access to biomarker testing for Medicaid enrollees. The adopted budget changed language in the historic biomarker testing law, initially passed in 2023, to clarify biomarker testing is covered when it is medically necessary. The law will retain the most important criteria used for determining when testing is to be covered, drawing praise from cancer survivors and patient advocates.
Michael Davoli, who serves as the senior government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in New York, applauded the agreement, calling it a balanced approach that ensures Medicaid enrollees can continue to access precision medicine through biomarker testing.
“Three years ago, New York State lawmakers came together and found a bipartisan solution to New Yorkers’ inequitable access to biomarker testing and the precision medicine treatments it unlocks. They bridged divides to deliver for patients and put New York at the forefront of the fight for health care affordability and innovation. Thankfully, lawmakers came back to the table and produced a budget that preserves access to biomarker testing while ensuring it is only covered when medically necessary.”
“When patients are fighting diseases like cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and ALS, access to the right treatment at the right time can be the difference-maker, and biomarker testing is increasingly important to connecting patients with the treatments that can improve outcomes and potentially help to reduce long-term healthcare costs. Thanks to our lawmakers, New Yorkers covered by Medicaid who are confronting life-altering diagnoses will still be able to get the answers they need to guide their treatment, much like those with private insurance do.”
ACS CAN applauds the Senate, Assembly and the Governor for hearing the concerns of patients and working with patient advocates to come to a resolution that preserves access to biomarker testing.
A special thanks goes to Senate President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senator Roxanne Persaud and Assemblymember Pamela Hunter for their tireless work on behalf of cancer patients.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan 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 cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.