Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) Statement on H.R. 8845, the Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 9, 2020) – On December 3, members of the House of Representatives introduced H.R. 8845, the Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, an important step toward bringing the latest advances in cancer screening technology to patients and healthcare providers. As the leading education and advocacy organization for the cancer care community, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) applauds Reps. Sewell (D-AL), Arrington (R-TX), Ruiz (D-CA) and Hudson (R-NC) for their leadership in ensuring Medicare beneficiaries’ access to critical cancer screening services.

Finding cancer earlier will give providers the opportunity to make significant progress in continuing to lower cancer mortality rates. Having access to the latest cancer screening technology will be especially important as organizations like ACCC seek to reach out to underserved populations and rural communities. H.R. 8845 addresses access challenges in the Medicare program by granting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services the authority to cover these tests following approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Coverage is critical to uptake, utilization, and maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of early detection.

As a membership organization representing 28,000 multidisciplinary practitioners from more than 2,100 cancer programs and practices nationwide, we strongly encourage Congress to consider H.R. 8845 for the benefit of the cancer care community. We must ensure our healthcare providers have access to the latest innovations in care so they may better serve their patients and, ultimately, save lives.

If you have any questions about our statement or would like to discuss in further detail, please contact Christian G. Downs, JD, MHA, ACCC Executive Director, at 301.984.9496 or cdowns@accc-cancer.org.

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