WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bill introduced earlier this year in the House and Senate now has the bipartisan support of the majority of the members in each chamber. The legislation aims to improve future equitable access to new and innovative cancer screenings among Medicare beneficiaries in order to increase early detection of more cancers for more individuals. The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act would allow Medicare to cover MCED tests, once approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and clinical benefit has been shown.
The bipartisan and bicameral legislation has the broad support of 231 members of the House of Representatives and 51 members of the Senate.
The following is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN):
“The widespread backing for the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, with more than half of members in both chambers of Congress supporting it, underscores its broad and bipartisan appeal. This demonstrates a shared commitment to advancing innovative solutions that transcend partisan divides for the greater good.
“The evidence overwhelmingly supports that detecting cancer earlier can be the difference between life and death. When cancer is detected at an earlier stage, it is often easier and less costly to treat, and patients are more likely to survive. According to data recently released by the American Cancer Society, in 2025, more than 2 million people in America are expected to be diagnosed with cancer and over 1 million of those cases are expected to be in individuals over the age of 65. This legislation, for which ACS CAN has long advocated, creates a pathway to ensure timely Medicare coverage of new, innovative multi-cancer screening tests after FDA approval and clinical benefit has been shown.
“ACS CAN is grateful to Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) for being lead sponsors on this bill. As we work to lower the burden of cancer for everyone, we urge Congress to immediately prioritize the passage of this bill.”
