American Cancer Society backs bills increasing access to biomarker testing
Health and Human Services Committee, which includes state Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland),…
In late February, state Sen. Joan Huffman filed a bill that aims to increase access to biomarker testing for cancer patients.
This week, state Rep. Greg Bonnen introduced its house companion, according to American Cancer Society officials.
The bill is slated to be brought in front of the Health and Human Services Committee — likely in the next two weeks. State Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland) serves on the committee.
The two pieces of legislation would require insurance plans to cover biomarker testing if it is ordered by a treating provider for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management or ongoing monitoring of a disease or condition when supported by the medical and scientific evidence defined in the bill, according to the American Cancer Society.
Biomarker testing is a way to look for genes, proteins and other substances (called biomarkers or tumor markers) that can provide information about cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Biomarker testing help doctors determine the best treatment plan for a specific patient.
According to the American Cancer Society, doctors must test for specific biomarkers if a patient will benefit from a certain targeted therapy. American Cancer Society officials said 60% of therapies don’t move forward unless biomarker testing happens first.
“Biomarker testing is a critical step in unlocking targeted therapies that can save lives and reduce costs in some cases,” said state Rep. Greg Bonnen in a press release. “This legislation will make it possible for many Texas patients to get the right treatment at the right time, getting them back on their feet and back to their families. It’s time for us to make the future of modern medicine accessible to more Texans.”
The American Cancer Society Action Network is sponsoring the bill that wants to increase access to precision medicine.
“The advances in cancer treatment that have come from being able to tailor approaches to a person’s condition are critical for winning the fight against cancer,” said James Gray, Texas government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “This legislation will bring the hope and promise of precision medicine to people with a cancer diagnosis across the state on a more equitable basis.”
This precision medicine has played a role in improving cancer outcomes, according to ACS officials. Patients with certain types of lung cancer who have received biomarker testing and targeted therapy had a 31% reduction in mortality.
States like Arizona, Illinois, Louisiana and Rhode Island have already introduced legislation requiring insurance plans to cover biomarker testing, American Cancer Society officials said cancer patients in these states have benefitted because they don’t have to spend as much time in treatment and doctors have a better grasp on their course of action.
