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Updated Congressional Meeting Talking Points:  

Enact the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (S. 663 (Murphy (D-Ct/Ernst (R-IA)/HR 549 (Garbarino (R-NY)/Castor (D-FL)  

• • Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that has spread from the breast to the bones, lungs, or other distant parts of the body. 90% of breast cancer deaths are a result of metastatic disease. There is no cure.
  • Under current law, eligible individuals with metastatic breast cancer are subject to a five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and a twenty-four-month waiting period for Medicare coverage.
  • The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act would waive all waiting periods for Medicare and SSDI for individuals under 65 and diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer who already qualify for the benefits. Based on the limited life expectancy of individuals with metastatic disease, an average of 3 years, there is no time to wait for these benefits.

(1) For Members who have cosponsored the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act: Thank you for cosponsoring this legislation. Is there something you can do to help us get additional Members of Congress to sign on? Some examples include getting others from your state delegation to cosponsor, getting others on your Committee to cosponsor, and/or getting support from Members of a Congressional Caucus to which you belong. What do you think is the best way for us to pass this legislation in this Congress? How can you help us get the bill passed?  

(2) For Members who have not cosponsored the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act: Will you cosponsor S. 663/HR 549, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act? If not, why not? Is there additional information we could provide you to get your support?