Weekly Column: Momentum On Improving Medicare Coverage For Cancer Detection

Breakthroughs in early cancer detection can drive more effective treatments and higher survival rates. I have been a long-time proponent of legislation to ensure Medicare beneficiaries’ access to cutting-edge tests capable of detecting multiple types of cancer before symptoms appear, to help ensure Idaho seniors and seniors across the country can receive lifesaving, preventative care. The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee’s recent advancement of the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act by a 43-0 vote is encouraging momentum in the effort to get this legislation across the finish line and to President Trump’s desk.

Under current law, Medicare only covers preventative services Congress has explicitly authorized or the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force has recommended. This results in routine screening being reimbursed for limited types of cancer and significant barriers to early cancer screening for many other types of cancer. This legislation would allow for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screenings immediately as they are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), rather than risking a lengthy legislative or regulatory approval process, saving millions of lives in the process.

For multiple congresses, I have introduced MCED, which would:

• Establish a coverage pathway under Medicare for certain FDA-approved MCED tests, which can screen for dozens of cancer types, many of which currently lack an effective screening option;

• Authorize the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved MCED screening tests, enabling beneficiaries to access these technologies, which currently lack a viable coverage pathway under the program;

• Maintain CMS authority to use an evidence-based process to determine coverage parameters for these new tests; and

• State that new diagnostic technologies will supplement existing screenings and will not impact existing coverage and cost-sharing.

Leading health care organizations across the United States support MCED and have advocated for its enactment. This includes the Idaho Medical Association. At reintroduction of MCED earlier this year, Susie Keller, Chief Executive Officer of the Idaho Medical Association, said, “Congress has an opportunity to improve access to innovative cancer screenings and transform cancer care for Idaho seniors while reducing Medicare spending. Seven in ten cancer deaths are caused by cancers for which there are currently no covered screening tests, which are often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Thanks to Senator Crapo’s leadership, more than 500 advocates and nearly 400 members of Congress have already signaled their support for this legislation. We are proud to support this legislation and urge Congress to pass it swiftly.”

Medicare should provide patients with access to health care innovations as soon as they are available. A majority of the U.S. Senate and a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives have co-sponsored MCED. This includes my fellow members of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation, Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher. I look forward to capitalizing on the broad support as I continue to work to enact this needed legislation through any viable legislative vehicle to help ensure federal health care policy keeps pace with medical advancements.

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