Washington, DC – As people across the country face unprecedented threats to health care access, the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) applauds yesterday’s reintroduction of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (S. 3442) by Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
This bipartisan legislation expands access to care for some of those who need it most: those with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. The bill eliminates the arbitrary 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage, as well as the 5-month wait for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, ensuring those who are eligible receive the crucial benefits and care they have earned.
“Women and men with metastatic breast cancer live an average of three years after their diagnosis. Individuals already facing enormous physical, emotional, and financial burdens are dying while waiting for earned benefits they are entitled to under the law,” said Fran Visco, NBCC president.
Initially introduced in response to NBCC advocacy, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act has received significant bipartisan support and momentum over the past four Congresses.
“Speaking on behalf of the tens of thousands of NBCC advocates across the country, we are grateful to Senators Murphy and Murkowski for their bipartisan leadership to end this arbitrary waiting period. We stand with them to move this bill into law,” said Visco.
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About the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC): NBCC is a collaboration of activists, survivors, researchers, policymakers, grassroots groups and national organizations that have come together as disruptive innovators for social change. We link hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of individuals from across the country into a dynamic, diverse coalition giving breast cancer a meaningful voice in Washington, DC, and state capitals; in laboratories and health care institutions; and in local communities everywhere. To learn more and join the movement, visit stopbreastcancer.org
