Gillibrand, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation To Increase Access To Life-Saving Breast And Gynecological Cancer Screenings

Oct 6, 2026

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in reintroducing the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women's Health Act, legislation that would increase the availability of life-saving cancer screenings at safety net healthcare providers like Planned Parenthood. The bill would create new grant and pilot programs to expand access to preventive services and screenings for breast and gynecological cancers-especially for low-income women and women of color-and train healthcare providers in providing high-quality cancer screening, early detection, and follow-up care.

The legislation is named for Jeanette Acosta, who was a fierce women's health advocate, former congressional staffer, and White House intern in the Obama administration. In 2017, she lost her battle with cervical cancer at the age of 32.

"Millions of women in the U.S. do not have access to preventative screenings that could catch deadly illnesses early and save their lives. That is a national tragedy that demands action," said Senator Gillibrand. "The Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women's Health Act is a commonsense piece of legislation to increase access to life-saving breast and gynecological cancer screenings for women who may otherwise slip through the cracks. I am doing everything I can to get this bill across the finish line."

"It is an honor that the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women's Health Act of 2026 is in our daughter's name. Over eight years ago cervical cancer took the life of our precious and valiant daughter, Jeanette. At the young age of 32, after one year of battling her cancer and suffering incomparable pain and extensive treatment, Jeanette died from her advanced cancer. Jeanette prayed that women be spared from the agony of cervical cancer, and this bill would help to achieve her hope for many women," said Frank X. Acosta, Ph.D., Jeanette Acosta's father. "This bill will have a lasting and positive national impact in the fight against cancers that afflict women. During her own fight with cancer, Jeanette reached out and provided support and encouragement to other women coping with cancer. She also emphasized the importance of prevention against the onset of cervical cancer. Jeanette, always a warrior for social justice, wanted to shine a light on the disparities to access to prevention and cancer health services for low-income, Latina, and Black women. This bill would brightly illuminate and help to close the gap between cancer prevention and health services and the countless women who have not and may not be able to access these services. Jeanette would adamantly support this bill."

"I'm proud to reintroduce the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women's Health Act in honor of Jeanette Acosta, a fierce advocate who fought to make sure every woman could get the health care she needs," said Senator Murray. "Too many women suffer preventable deaths because they didn't have access to the cancer screenings that would have detected their condition early on. That is an unacceptable tragedy. We know that early detection saves lives-not to mention health care costs-and investing in preventive services to help more women get treatment before it's too late is just common sense. I'm not going to stop fighting to pass this crucial piece of legislation in Jeanette's memory."

In addition to Senators Gillibrand and Murray, the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women's Health Act is cosponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The bill is endorsed by: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Black Women's Health Imperative, Human Rights Watch, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Senator Gillibrand has long been a champion for women's health. Last month, she held the first ever congressional hearing on menopause, shedding light on the need for additional federal support for menopause research, training, and care. Gillibrand also leads the Moms Matter Act-part of the Momnibus Act that was reintroduced earlier this year-which would increase investments in maternal mental health programs and expand this vital workforce to better support moms and pregnant women. She also leads the Healthy Maternity and Obstetric Medicine (MOM) Act, legislation designed to expand healthcare access for pregnant women and ensure they receive coverage that meets their needs.

The full text of the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women's Health Act can be found here.

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