JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Bipartisan legislation, supported by one local congressman, would provide Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests.
The bill is called the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. It would allow for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early-detection screening tests.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
The whole goal of this legislation is to get these tests covered by Medicare, which then will greatly benefit older patients disproportionately affected by cancer.
If this is enacted by the time these new tests are FDA-approved, it will prevent significant delays in patient access to these tests.
Action News Jax talked with Jody Hoyos, the Chief Executive Officer of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, who supports the legislation.
Read: ‘Disrespecting us:’ Two local restaurants reopening after closing without warning last week
“We want to make sure that there are not unnecessary delays in people accessing these tests once they do receive FDA approval,” Hoyos said.
Hoyos said detecting cancer early, before it has spread throughout the body, is something that saves lives.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
“Early detection can mean more treatment options available, less intensive treatment options, and better chances of survival,” Hoyos said.
According to the American Cancer Society, there will be more than 160,000 new cancer cases this year in Florida.
Congress has yet to pass this as it is still going through committees.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05) is a cosponsor of the legislation.
His office sent Action News Jax a Statement:
“Catching cancer early saves lives. That’s why I was proud to cosponsor the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act to improve seniors’ timely access to multi-cancer screening technology by creating a pathway to Medicare coverage once these lifesaving innovations are FDA approved. We must help open the door to a new era of detecting and treating cancer while ensuring that our most vulnerable citizens are not left behind.”
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.