Larson Votes to Expand Medicare Coverage for Cutting-Edge Cancer Early Detection Screening

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) came together with every Democrat and Republican on the Ways and Means Committee to advance the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act. It now heads to the House floor for a vote.

Rep. Larson's colleague on the Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), lost her mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell, to pancreatic cancer in 2021. Age remains the primary risk factor for cancer, with seniors representing 70 percent of all cancer diagnoses. Only 14 percent of cancers are currently found through screening.

Larson and Sewell's bill would allow for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection, emerging blood-based cancer screenings that can catch cancer earlier than ever before.

"Cancer has touched nearly every family in America, with seniors making up the vast majority of new diagnoses," said Larson. "Early detection saves lives. Cancer research saves lives. My dear friend and colleague, Rep. Terri Sewell, lost her mother to pancreatic cancer, and has been a steadfast advocate for early detection and treatment ever since. A small portion of cancers are currently found through screenings, but emerging blood-based screenings may be able to catch cancers earlier than ever before. I was glad to join with her and all of our colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee to ensure red tape does not hold up Medicare coverage for these cutting-edge screenings. I urge all our colleagues in the House and Senate - both Democrat and Republican - to come together and act."

Like so many of these advocates, I know firsthand the impact cancer can have on families," said Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07). "On June 10, 2021, I lost my beloved mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell, to pancreatic cancer. And like so many patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, my mother's cancer was not detected until 'Stage 4' and therefore was not treatable. Tragically, cancer took her life only eight weeks after her diagnosis. It was a shock to our entire family, the lingering effects of which I feel every day. In an effort to turn my pain into passion, I made a commitment to do all that I could to prevent other families from experiencing such a painful loss. That's why I am proud to be leading legislation to expand access to early detection cancer screenings."

"Thirteen years ago, my breast cancer was detected early because of a new law in Connecticut that mandated notification to a woman that her mammogram showed 'Dense Breast Tissue,' and she would need essential follow-up testing, like an ultrasound or MRI. I have extremely dense breast tissue, and never knew it, until this Connecticut law was passed, becoming the first state in the nation! The ultrasound discovered a small, deadly lesion, hiding beneath the density; and the new Connecticut law saved me from a late-stage diagnosis, and possibly my life. I beseech all our legislators to vote yes on H.R. 842! The only way toward the earliest possible detection of dancer is to pass this law now," said Jan P. Kritzman, Newington resident and advocate for early breast and ovarian cancer detection.

H.R. 842, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Actwould specifically:

1. Create the authority for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to cover blood-based MCED tests and future test methods once approved by the Food and Drug Administration and shown to have clinical benefit.

1. Maintain CMS' authority to use an evidence-based process to determine coverage parameters for these new tests.

1. Clarify that (1) these new tools will complement, not replace, existing screenings and coverage and (2) cost sharing will not be impacted.