SPRINGFIELD, IL – This afternoon, the Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill 3509, which would improve access to biomarker testing, a game-changer in the fight against cancer and other conditions, and an essential step toward accessing precision treatments.
The following is a statement from Ally Lopshire, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Illinois:
"Five years ago, Illinois made history when it became the first state in the country to pass legislation expanding insurance coverage for evidence-based biomarker testing. Since then, twenty-two states have followed Illinois’ lead, enacting similar laws to improve access to this valuable testing. In order to ensure equitable access, the Illinois biomarker testing coverage language needed to be updated.
“Senate Bill 3509 seeks to amend Illinois’ existing biomarker coverage section to ensure more equitable access to comprehensive biomarker testing by updating key definitions to ensure coverage for proven testing options and ensuring insurers are transparent in their coverage decisions and use of utilization management techniques for such tests.
"The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network thanks Sen. Julie A. Morrison for championing this effort and the Illinois Senate for approving this legislation. We urge the House to quickly follow suit and take this significant step towards improving health outcomes and lowering health care costs."
In 2026, approximately 23,230 Illinoisans will die from cancer. Improved access to biomarker testing can connect more patients with the most effective treatments, enabling them to live longer and have a better chance of beating cancer.
For more information on precision medicine, cancer biomarkers, current barriers to biomarker testing and ACS CAN’s policy recommendations, visit www.fightcancer.org/biomarkers.