BCCRF is proud to announce our continued advocacy support toward passing the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act. Originally introduced in 2018, the bipartisan bill has been re-introduced in the House by Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL) and John Katko (R-FL), and in the Senate by Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Joni Ernst (R-IA).
Once breast cancer has metastasized, there is currently no cure, and the average life expectancy is approximately three years. This act would provide individuals under 65, upon eligibility, access to insurance coverage and benefits. Under current law, these individuals must wait five months for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and 24 months for Medicare benefits to take effect. This bill would waive both waiting periods.
To be enacted, the bill must be approved by the House and Senate. This is where advocates’ and constituents’ voices make a real difference. Reaching out to our representatives and asking them to support this crucial bill is a concrete way we can help shape our democracy to aid the most vulnerable.
Both the Senate and the House have identical versions of this bill with a growing number of cosponsors already signed on. In today’s 117th United States Congress, the proposed House bill is HR3183, and the Senate bill is S1312. You can go to congress.gov and input these bill numbers to educate yourself on the pertinent information.
For this bill to be enacted, we need more bipartisan senators and representatives to support it! Breast cancer advocates from across the country are contacting their elected officials and urging them to become cosponsors. Please join us in this essential work. It’s not complicated – all it takes is a quick call or email to your elected officials’ offices. To find their contact information, logon to https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.
On behalf of all metastatic breast cancer patients, thank you for your advocacy!