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Mainers Won’t See Increased Access to Biomarker Testing This Legislative Session

For the second year in a row, legislation to increase access to biomarker testing has failed to pass in the final days of legislative activity.

May 15, 2024

AUGUSTA –  Yesterday, Governor Mills announced she would not be signing any bills taken of the Special Appropriations Table, including LD1577. This legislation, which passed both House and Senate chambers earlier this month with broad bipartisan support, would have increased access to biomarker testing for Mainers who need it, ensuring they can receive the right treatment at the right time for their disease.

The following can be attributed to Julia McDonald, Maine director of government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN):

“We are disappointed that the biomarker testing coverage legislation will not be signed into law. On behalf of the cancer patients, survivors and caregivers we represent across Maine, we’d like to thank the legislature for their diligent work to expand access to proven biomarker testing.

“We look forward to working with legislators and Governor Mills next session to ensure more Mainers can get the testing they need to get the right treatment at the right time. To date, similar legislation has been signed into law in 16 other states, and we don’t want to see Maine patients left behind.”

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