Access to Biomarker Testing

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Biomarker testing is key to unlocking precision medicine.

Biomarkers are often used to help determine the best treatment for a patient, but not all communities are benefitting from the latest advancements in biomarker testing and precision medicine.


Progress in improving cancer outcomes increasingly involves the use of precision medicine. Biomarker testing is an important step for accessing precision medicine including targeted therapies that can lead to improved survivorship and better quality of life for cancer patients. But without action to expand coverage of and access to biomarker testing, advances in precision medicine could increase existing disparities in cancer outcomes by race, ethnicity, income, and geography.

ACS CAN is working to expand insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing. 

Map showing states where legislation is moving

 

Legislation enacted: AZ, IL, LA, RI, KY, NM, MD, GA, AR*
Legislation passed in 2023: TX, OK, MN
Legislation introduced in 2023: CA,CT, CO, FL, MA, ME, NV, NY, OH, PA (expected) 

*commercial only

Get more information about our campaigns.

California | Colorado | Florida | Massachusetts | Maryland | Maine | Minnesota | Nevada |  New York | Ohio | Oklahoma | PennsylvaniaTexas | Washington

Biomarker testing helps ensure cancer patients get the right treatment at the right time.

It allows doctors to precisely target a specific cancer so patients may not have to undergo more generalized treatments like chemo and radiation that may not work as well for them.

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Help cancer patients get the right treatment at the right time!

Biomarker testing is the latest advanced in cancer research that is personal to the patient and their cancer, helping ensure patients get the right treatment at the right time. 

Latest Updates

May 30, 2023
New York

ALBANY, NY – MAY 30, 2023 – Yesterday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 989 into law, making Texas the 11 th state to expand access to biomarker testing. New York is considering comparable legislation through Assembly Bill 1673 / Senate Bill 1196. The American Cancer Society Cancer

May 24, 2023
Minnesota

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, Governor Tim Walz signed legislation that will ensure biomarker testing is covered by more insurance plans, including Medicaid, when patients need it. The new law will enable more Minnesotans to benefit from biomarker testing, a critical step in accessing precision medicine treatments that can lead to fewer

May 19, 2023
New York

ALBANY, NY – MAY 19, 2023 – Every year on May 20, patients and providers celebrate the invaluable work of clinical trials in the effort to eradicate all suffering and death from cancer. In observance of Clinical Trials Day on the 20th, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS

May 17, 2023
New York

ALBANY, NY – MAY 17, 2023 – Earlier today, oncologists and cancer survivors from across New York gathered at the Capitol to answer lawmakers’ questions about biomarker testing and ask for their support of Senate Bill 1196 / Assembly Bill 1673. This legislation, which is being sponsored by Asm. Pamela

Access to Biomarker Testing Resources

Biomarker testing is key to unlocking precision medicine. However, coverage for guideline-recommended biomarker tests is not universal and can be a barrier to cancer patients accessing treatments that can lead to improved survival and quality of life.  

Cancer biomarker testing can lead to targeted therapy which can improve survival and quality of life by connecting patients to the most beneficial treatment for their disease.

Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing is a component of precision medicine that involves examining a patient’s inherited genes to detect variations that may impact the way a drug is broken down, absorbed and used within the body.