ACCC Executive Director, Meagan O’Neill, MS, today released the following statement in support of the bipartisan legislative funding package to be considered this week, which includes the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 2407) / the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (S. 2085) to create a meaningful pathway for seniors to have access to the newest transformational tools in cancer detection:
“Cancer centers are at the forefront of groundbreaking advances in cancer care, driving progress that saves lives and improves outcomes. Early detection is critical—it can mean the difference between a treatable condition and one that becomes much harder to manage. Yet, until now, we have only been able to screen for a small subset of cancers, leaving countless others undetected until they have advanced, often with devastating consequences.
The future of cancer detection is evolving rapidly, and we stand at a pivotal moment. Over the years, Congress has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring patients benefit from technological innovation in cancer care. Today, with the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, Congress has the opportunity to build on that legacy by creating a pathway for Medicare beneficiaries to access these transformational tools.
This legislation represents a vital step toward advancing health equity in cancer care, ensuring all seniors, regardless of their circumstances, can benefit from the promise of early detection. ACCC, the leading and oldest organization of oncology professionals across the country, strongly urges Congress to seize this moment and pass this landmark bill, bringing us closer to a future where no cancer goes undetected, and every patient has a fighting chance.”
