Press Releases

Representatives Arrington and Sewell, co-leads of the Nancy Gardner SewellMedicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act.	Congressman Arrington  delivers remarks on the importance of H.R. 2407 before the Committee on Ways and Means.	Lubbock resident Ann Archer, who lost her husband to cancer, traveled to Washington, D.C. to watch this legislation pass out of committee.

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 2407), which expands multi-cancer early detection test access to Medicare recipients once the tests are approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), passed the Committee on Ways and Means unanimously.  

“The only way to win the war on cancer and defeat this insidious disease is to unleash the power of American innovation,” said co-lead of H.R. 2407 Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19). “H.R. 2407 is a triple threat for cancer care: increasing access, reducing cost, and improving outcomes. This legislation will save lives by catching cancer early, spare families the grief and trauma of late-phase diagnoses, and save taxpayers a lot of money.”

“After years of tireless advocacy, we are one step closer to ensuring our seniors have access to new, early detection cancer screenings,” said co-lead of H.R. 2407 Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07). “Cancer knows no political party, and I’m proud of the bipartisan and unanimous work of the Ways and Means Committee to advance this bill which will save lives and help and pave the way for a world without cancer. While my mother is no longer with us, I know that she is smiling down on us today. Her legacy will live on in the millions of Americans whose lives will be changed by this legislation. It is my hope that the House will consider it and pass it without delay.”

“Multi-cancer early detection tests have the potential to identify multiple types of cancer from a patient’s blood years before otherwise known, which gives doctors the best shot at diagnosing, treating, and possibly curing patients living with cancer before the disease has progressed,” said Committee on Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-8). This is especially important for the 60 million individuals living in rural America who face a 30% higher cancer mortality rate. Unfortunately, the current pathway for these tests to obtain Medicare coverage is fraught with delays and bureaucratic tape. Medicare will spend close to a trillion dollars on cancer care in the next 10 years with 75% of that spent on late-stage cancer treatments. Early test, detection, and treatment can help bring down those costs for patients and taxpayers. This legislation from Congressman Arrington and Congresswoman Sewell would provide targeted coverage for multi-cancer early detection tests so seniors can enjoy guaranteed access to life-saving diagnostics.”

CEO of the American Cancer Society and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Dr. Karen E. Knudsen said, “We are pleased to see the House Committee on Ways and Means take a step toward passing the bipartisan Nancy Gardner Sewell MCED Screening Coverage Act. We thank Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) for continuing to champion this important legislation which has the potential to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Medicare enrollees and their families. In 2024, more than 2 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer and over 1 million of those cases are expected to be diagnosed in individuals over the age of 65. The Act creates a pathway to ensure timely Medicare coverage of new, innovative multi-cancer screening tests and expand access to early detection once clinical benefit is shown." 

Executive Director of the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) Christian Downs, JD, MHA, said, "The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) greatly appreciates the House Committee on Ways and Means taking this important step toward passing the bipartisan Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 2407). We thank Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) for their tireless advocacy on this important legislation. ACCC members are all too familiar with the toll cancer takes on patients when diagnosed at a late stage. Far too many patients have died because their cancer wasn’t caught early enough. Late-stage cancer diagnosis is often avoidable, and if cancers are caught earlier and proper treatment is administered, outcomes are typically more successful. This legislation will expand seniors’ access to advanced cancer screenings through the Medicare program – enabling earlier detection and improving outcomes." 

CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation Jody Hoyos said, “The Prevent Cancer Foundation celebrates this important step in making access to MCED tests closer to reality for millions of older Americans. Thank you to Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) for their leadership. The advocacy community will continue to support legislation that brings early detection to all because Early Detection = Better Outcomes.”

Executive Director of Grange Advocacy at the National Grange Burton Eller said, “As the trusted voice of rural America, the National Grange greatly appreciates the efforts of Representatives Arrington and Sewell for sponsoring and the Ways and Means Committee for passing the bipartisan Nancy Gardner Sewell MCED Screening Coverage Act. Rural residents suffer considerably higher cancer incidence, late-stage diagnosis and mortality rates than their urban counterparts. With this simple screening test to detect a multitude of cancers, we can turn rural cancer rates around.”

President and CEO of Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance Audra Moran said, “We lose over 600,000 Americans every year to cancer, often because their cancers were detected too late. Many cancers, including ovarian cancer, have no recommended early screenings available. This status quo cannot stand. The Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act would ensure seniors’ timely access to MCED tests when they are deemed to be safe and effective by the FDA. Our nation’s health rests on equal access to quality healthcare and we're grateful to the committee and its members for this important action today.”

CEO of Cancer Support Community Sally Werner said, “As an organization that provides support, education, and navigation services at no cost to thousands of people impacted by cancer across the United States, we are committed to supporting efforts that address health equity and break down barriers to care.  The Nancy Sewell Gardner Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 2407) will ensure that advanced cancer screening is readily available to America’s seniors-- an age group recognized at risk of developing cancer.  This legislation will increase equitable and affordable access to these innovative and potentially life-saving tests.”

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