Congress has the power to move the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act forward, eliminating the cruel and arbitrary waiting periods eligible people with metastatic breast cancer must endure before they can access the disability and health benefits they earned, paid for, and desperately need. That’s why NBCC launched an all-out campaign to make it happen this summer.
What that means: NBCC and NBCC advocates are pushing the House Ways and Means Committee to move the bill to markup, calling members of Congress daily to demand support, planning a targeted lobby day on June 23, and taking our message to the press—and keeping you updated on our progress.
Tune in as NBCC’s Chief Policy Officer Melanie Wyne, Field Director Maggie Bush, and advocates Tonsa Price-Edwards and Denise Smith discuss the background and current status of the bill, the challenges we face and our tactics to overcome them, and how you can be a part of this urgent campaign– because people with metastatic breast cancer have no time to wait.
Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that has spread from the breast to the bones, lungs, or other distant parts of the body. There is no cure. The life expectancy of those diagnosed with metastatic disease is, on average, 3 years.
The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act would waive the lengthy and arbitrary waiting periods for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (5 months) and Medicare (24 months) faced by eligible individuals with metastatic breast cancer.
Hear from those who have been affected by these waiting periods and learn how earlier access to benefits could have changed the rest of their lives.
NBCC advocate Catherine Marquardt (right) passed away on December 2, 2020, at age 48, just one day after her two-year waiting period was up and she qualified for Medicare.
I’m always going to choose providing for my children before depleting my funds to afford medication. I don’t want to lose my home. I’m getting further in debt, and that’s where a lot of people like me are.
With the treatment that I’m on, waiting two years doesn’t work for me, so we’re paying so much.
Getting the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act passed in Congress will require sustained advocacy, grassroots pressure, and direct engagement with lawmakers. Thanks to the Joyce and Irving Goldman Family Foundation, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
Make a difference and give today.
NBCC Advocate Joy Thorson in the Des Moines Register:
As someone living with metastatic breast cancer, I know firsthand the fear, pain, and uncertainty that accompany this diagnosis every day. I am fortunate to have health insurance that covers my $18,000-a-month medication, scans, tests, and doctor appointments, but many others are not.
They face an impossible future: fight for their lives while also worrying about how they will pay for the care that keeps them alive.
Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) in 535.news:
Too many patients die before the benefits they earned through a lifetime of work ever become available. In the meantime, they and their families face mounting medical bills, lost income, and overwhelming financial strain at a time when their focus should be on treatment and making the most of their time with loved ones.
That is why we are partnering with the National Breast Cancer Coalition to lead a bipartisan effort to eliminate these outdated waiting periods and ensure patients can access the benefits they have earned when they need them most.
NBCC President Fran Visco to Representative Jason Smith (R-MO-8), chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, and Representative Richard Neal (D-MA-1), ranking member:
Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member, it is well past time to consider the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act. While, unfortunately, it is already too late for too many of our loved ones, I ask you to act urgently to help many others.
