Public Policy Priorities
Review some of FORCE's current legislative and regulatory policy priorities that impact the hereditary cancer community.
August 30, 2023 – Today, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) notified FORCE that the recommendations on the Prevention of Lynch Syndrome-Related Cancer cannot "move into the final research plan stage and evidence review at this time.” While not directly stated, it appears that the Task Force is under-resourced and doesn’t currently have the capacity to develop the guidelines.
August 21, 2023 - Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will keep the billing codes for flap breast reconstruction surgeries. This means every woman will have access to advanced breast reconstruction options like DIEP and GAP flap. The decision was in response to a coordinated effort by multiple stakeholders. Our voices collectively came together, and CMS listened!
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.
FORCE Submits Comments to the USPSTF
June 6, 2023 - The USPSTF recently proposed new breast cancer screening guidelines suggesting that individuals at average risk of breast cancer start mammograms at age 40, but only recommend screening every 2 years. We believe the recommendations will worsen health disparities, lead to confusion, and cost lives.
Read our comments.
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.
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..."
News Briefs
8/14/2023 - Joined stakeholders in a letter to the American College of Physicians expressing disappointment with the preventive colorectal cancer screening guidance it published, which conflicts with recommendations provided by the USPSTF, NCCRT, ACS, NCCN and other reputable organizations.
7/21/2023 - Wrote House and Senate leadership, expressing support for increased funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in its staffing and administrative support of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) as part of the FY24 appropriations bill.
6/7/2023 - Joined physicians and patient advocacy groups to support California AB 632, which will allow patients to receive prostate cancer screening without a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance for prostate cancer screening, including men over the age of 40 who are at high risk for prostate cancer.
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