H.R. 2407/S. 2085 | Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act
This bill would potentially expand access to cancer screenings in Medicare. Under the legislation, once the test has been approved by the FDA and shown to have clinical benefit, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) could initiate a new pathway for coverage. The goal is to shorten the wait time for senior citizens, who are at increased risk of cancer, to benefit from new screening tests approved by the FDA.
Background:
This bipartisan and bicameral legislation will create a pathway for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer screening tests once they are approved by the FDA and clinical benefit has been shown. In the 117th Congress, it had high support in Congress with 257 House co-sponsors and 54 Senate co-sponsors.
Increasing co-sponsorship in the 118th Congress will allow momentum to move this bill through the legislative process this year.
Main Points:
Currently, Medicare covers early detection tests for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers. The Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act would potentially expand access to cancer screenings in Medicare. Under the legislation, once the test has been approved by the FDA, the Centers for Medicare, and Medicaid Services (CMS) could initiate an evidence-based coverage process to determine coverage when clinical benefit is shown.
This legislation does not mandate Medicare coverage: it allows the Medicare program to determine coverage if clinical benefit is shown.
The bill would also give the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) authority to cover new multicancer technology in the future, without the need for additional legislation.
Because the risk of cancer increases with age, Medicare beneficiaries are especially vulnerable; and prevention is critical. Sixty percent of people who have cancer are 65 or older.
We are encouraged by the past bipartisan and bicameral support for this bill and urge increased cosponsorship to boost the support for the legislation.
