Public Policy Priorities

Expand Medicare coverage of genetic counseling, testing, cancer screening & prevention

Medicare covers genetic testing only for people already diagnosed with cancer. For individuals with an inherited mutation causing increased cancer risk, many screenings and risk-reducing interventions are not covered. This legislation will modify the Medicare statutes to allow coverage of these potentially life-saving services.

In an effort to streamline billing, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the insurance codes used for procedures like DIEP flap breast reconstruction will expire on December 31, 2024. This obscure medical billing change could significantly limit health insurance coverage for DIEP flap and other types of advanced tissue-based breast reconstruction surgery.

January 28, 2021 – Today, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) announced plans to develop guidelines for the "Prevention of Lynch Syndrome-Related Cancer." FORCE spearheaded this effort to raise awareness about hereditary colorectal and related cancers, help identify high-risk individuals—and to facilitate coverage of appropriate genetic testing with no cost-sharing under the ACA.

January 2023 - Federal employees now have insurance coverage for fertility preservation and access to four plan options that will cover Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). All federal health insurance carriers will provide coverage for standard fertility preservation procedures for those facing the possibility of medically induced (iatrogenic) infertility, including infertility due to cancer treatments or risk-reducing surgery.

Introduced on December 14, the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act (CCSA) will address gaps in survivorship care. The CCSA will set new standards to ensure the best and most seamless care experience for cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers, throughout the survivorship journey. Key pillars of the legislation include navigation, care planning and transition, employment and financial assistance, and survivorship resources.

Impact on Reproductive Services for People Facing Hereditary Cancers

FORCE is sharing the below statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization as it relates to reproductive services for people facing hereditary cancers. 

"For 23 years, FORCE has championed access to evidence-based, quality healthcare, while supporting..."