Federal Policy and Legislative Advocacy – Current Issues

This chart includes current policy and legislative opportunities at the federal level.

Year IntroducedIssueType (Letter, Regulation Comments, Legislation)Bill Number & TitleDescriptionPosition Statements & Coalition and Triage Cancer Letter of SupportStatusAdvocacy Opportunity
2025Paid Family LeaveLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7165H.R.7165 - Credit for Caring Act of 2024Letter urging Congress to include the Credit for Caring Act of 2024 (118th Congress) in legislation in the next Congress (119th). Supporthttps://triagecancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Financial-Relief-for-Family-Caregivers-Credit-for-Caring-Act-Sign-on-Letter-January-2025.pdfHouse - 01/31/2024 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.Contact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Access to CareLetterhttps://familiesusa.org/our-work/medicaid/Support for Medicaid FundingCoalition letter in support of full funding for MedicaidSupporthttps://triagecancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FUSA-01-03-Medicaid-Sign-On-Final_updated-01-06-25.pdfNot Yet IntroducedContact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Research and developmentLetterhttps://www.fightcancer.org/policy-resources/request-regulatory-safe-harbor-aks-financial-support-cancer-clinical-trialSafe harbor to the federal health care program anti-kickback statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b) (“AKS”).Letter to the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) in support of the regulatory safe harbor to the federal health care program anti-kickback statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b) (“AKS”)Supporthttps://triagecancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ACS-CAN_-2025-Safe-Harbor-Proposal-27Jan25_Submitted.pdfPublic comment closed 1/27/25Not at This Timehttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/27/2024-27710/solicitation-of-proposals-for-new-and-modified-safe-harbors-and-special-fraud-alerts
2025Research and developmentLetterhttps://appropriations.house.gov/schedule/hearings/labor-health-and-human-services-and-education-public-witness-daySupport for NIH FundingLetter requesting that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) receive no less than $51.303 billion, in addition to support for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).Supporthttps://triagecancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FY26-NIH-Funding-Rec.pdfNot Yet IntroducedContact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025MedicareLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/842H.R. 842 / S.339 - Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage ActThis Act would allow Medicare to cover multi-cancer early detection screenings, once approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and clinical benefit has been shown. This bill is reintroduced from 2024, during which it was the most supported bi-cameral and bi-partisan health care legislation.SupportReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means (1/31/2025)Contact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Access to CareLetterhttps://act.communitycatalyst.org/a/protect-medicaid-nowSupport for Medicaid FundingCoalition letter urging policymakers committed to reducing medical debt and improving economic security to oppose any cuts to Medicaid.Opposehttps://triagecancer.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05084843/Medicaid-Medical-Debt-Sign-On-Letter.pdfNot Yet IntroducedContact your representative to ask them to oppose cuts to Medicaidhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Essential Health BenefitsLetterClose EHB Pharmaceutical LoopholeLetter urging the Secretary of Labor to issue a previously promised regulation that would prevent insurers from designating certain covered drugs as “non-essential,” evading cost-sharing protections for patients.Supporthttps://triagecancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/EHB-Loophole-Letter.pdfNot Yet IntroducedContact your representative to ask them to support this regulationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Access to CareLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1300H.R.1300 / S.297 - PSA Screening for HIM ActCoalition letter to support this Act in both the House and Senate, which would require health insurance providers to offer prostate cancer screenings without any cost-sharing requirements for high-risk men over the age of 40.SupportReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (2/13/2025) / referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (1/29/2025)Contact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Research and developmentLetterBudget Proposing Cuts to HHSCoalition letter urging policymakers to reject the cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services' 2026 budget that were included in a draft budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026.Opposehttps://triagecancer.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/29095205/FY26-Proposed-HHS-Cuts-Letter.pdfNot Yet IntroducedContact your representative to ask them to oppose this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Access to CareLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1509/textH.R.1509 - Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act of 2025This bill requires states to allow out-of-state providers to enroll in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) without the imposition of screening or enrollment requirements that exceed the minimum necessary for such state to provide payment to such providers.SupportReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (2/21/2025)Contact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025MedicareLetterNot AnsweredMPPP Reporting and TransparencyCoalition letter calling for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide quarterly reporting and improved transparency for the implementation of the Medicare Premium Payment Program and progress of expanding beneficiary enrollment capabilities and outreach.SupportNot Yet IntroducedContact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Clinical TrialsLegislationhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1pqNkinLgl9by1o69fwn_cknBnK4iFhh4/viewPathfinder ActThe Pathfinder Act proposes amendments to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code to make it easier and financially beneficial for individuals to participate in clinical trials by providing tax exemptions for clinical trial payments and a refundable tax credit for clinical trial participants, ultimately supporting medical research and development.SupportNot Yet IntroducedContact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Research and developmentLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3152H.R.3152 / S.1546 - Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2025This bill would overturn years of Supreme Court precedent and once again allow patents on all biomarkers, including DNA, and their association with health status, reducing innovation and increasing the costs of important genetic tests.OpposeReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary (5/1/2025)Contact your representative to ask them to oppose this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Access to CareLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2381/text/ihH.R.2381/S.1866 - SCREENS for Cancer Act of 2025This Act would reauthorize the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) which provides public education, outreach, patient navigation, and care coordination to increase breast and cervical cancer screening rates and reach people in rural and urban communities alike.Supporthttps://triagecancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-SCREENS-Act-Letter-of-Support.pdfReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (3/26/2025)Contact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Access to CareLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1500/text/isS.1500 - Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2025Act would require private insurance plans to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging without any patient cost-sharing, ensuring that patients do not face out-of-pocket costs for essential follow-up imaging such as MRIs, ultrasounds and diagnostic mammograms.SupportReferred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (4/28/2025)Contact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Access to CareBudgethttps://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Fiscal-Year-2026-Discretionary-Budget-Request.pdfPresidential recommendations on discretionary funding levels for fiscal year (FY) 2026The President's recently released FY26 discretionary budget proposal eliminated the CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control (DCPC), which includes cancer registries, the comprehensive cancer control program that sends money to state health departments, awareness campaigns, and cancer education and awareness efforts, alongside cancer screening programs.Opposehttps://triagecancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Protect-DCPC-Final-Letter.pdfBudget awaiting enactmentContact your representative to ask them to oppose this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025MedicareLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3514/textH.R. 3514 / S. 1816 - Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act This bill would establish a standardized electronic prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans,increase transparency around MA prior authorization requirements and their use, and allow CMS to establish timeframes for e-PA requests.Supporthttps://docs.google.com/document/d/19OqthcWUvWTjWqefB6WaRHIK-KlqDpad_NjRc5kwnl0/edit?tab=t.0Introduced on May 20, 2025Contact your representative to ask them to oppose this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Research and developmentLetterhttps://www.researchamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NIH-Sign-On-Letter-June-2025-with-Signatories.pdf?sm_guid=ODY5NTUwfDgyMjM0NDkzfC0xfGpkQHRyaWFnZWNhbmNlci5vcmd8Nzk5MTg1NXx8MHwwfDI2NTE3Nzc2MHw5NTN8MHwwfHw4NjUzNDh8MA2Proposed Cuts to NIH FundingCoalition letter urging legislators to reject cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding proposed in the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget request.Opposehttps://www.researchamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NIH-Sign-On-Letter-June-2025-with-Signatories.pdf?sm_guid=ODY5NTUwfDgyMjM0NDkzfC0xfGpkQHRyaWFnZWNhbmNlci5vcmd8Nzk5MTg1NXx8MHwwfDI2NTE3Nzc2MHw5NTN8MHwwfHw4NjUzNDh8MA2Budget awaiting enactmentContact your representative to ask them to oppose this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025MedicareLetterNot AnsweredImprove Transparency and Education for Medicare Part D Utilization ManagementCoalition letter asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to increase transparency around plans’ use of utilization management (UM) and enhance Part D enrollees' education about how their care may be affected by UM tools.Supporthttps://www.agingresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/UM-letter-to-CMS-Administrator-Oz.pdfLetter sentNot at This TimeNot Answered
2025Clinical TrialsLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3521H.R.3521 - Clinical Trial Modernization ActThis bill would make it easier for people to participate in clinical trials by removing barriers they currently face, including allowing sponsors to financially support trial participants for costs associated with participation and facilitating remote participation in trials.Supporthttps://triagecancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CTMA-Support-Letter.pdfReferred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce as well as Ways and Means (5/20/2025)Contact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Oral Chemo ParityLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4101H.R.4101 - Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2025This bill would require that privately insured patients whose health care is regulated at the federal level provide equal coverage for oral and IV cancer treatments, preventing insurers from covering oral and self-administered medicines at different cost-sharing rates than IV chemotherapy.Supporthttps://triagecancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cancer-Drug-Parity-Act-CIACC-Press-Release.pdfReferred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce (6/24/2025)Contact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025MedicareProposed Rule/Regulationshttps://www.regulations.gov/document/CMS-2025-0049-0001Part C and Part D Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Model Documents (CMS-10882)These proposed rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would revise Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP) model documents. The coalition letter recommends changes to these documents that would increase clarity and accessibility of the MPPP.Supporthttps://triagecancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/MAPRx-MPPP-Model-Document-Regulation-Comment.pdfComment period closedNot At This TimeNot Answered
2025Social Security Disability BenefitsLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2048H.R.2048 - Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care ActThis bill would eliminate the waiting periods for disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer.SupportReferred to the House Committee on Ways and Means (3/11/2025)Contact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Access to CareLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1410S.1410 - Find It Early ActThis bill requires private health insurance plans to cover additional breast cancer screenings at no cost for individuals who are at increased risk of breast cancer or with heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue.SupportRead twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (4/10/2025)Contact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Access to CareLetterNot AnsweredLetter to HHS urging preservation of USPSTFLetter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging the preservation of the current structure, membership, and processes of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).Supporthttps://familiesusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USPSTF-Letter-to-Kennedy-8.11.25.pdfAdministrative decision not yet madeContact your representative to ask them to support the preservation of the USPSTFhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Access to CareLegislationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4752/textH.R.4752 - Reducing Hereditary Cancer ActThis bill would provide for Medicare coverage of germline mutation testing for individuals with a personal or family history of a hereditary cancer gene mutation or suspicious history of hereditary cancer, as well as coverage of certain cancer screenings or preventive surgeries that would reduce the risk of developing a preventable cancer.SupportReferred to Committee on Energy and Commerce, and to Committee on Ways and Means (7/23/2025)Contact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025Research and developmentLetterNot AnsweredPreserving the Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP)Letter requesting lawmakers to approve the House-passed funding level ($15 Million) for KCRP in the final FY2026 Defense appropriations bill as Congress returns from recess in September.SupportBudget awaiting enactmentContact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
2025MedicareLetterNot AnsweredLetter urging Congress to make telehealth access permanent for Medicare beneficiariesLetter urging congressional leadership to make telehealth access permanent for Medicare beneficiaries, as telehealth flexibilities that have been in place since the COVID-19 pandemic are set to expire on September 30th.SupportNot Yet IntroducedContact your representative to ask them to support this legislationhttps://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/

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