US Congress introduces bill on genetic testing — The Hill

In the US Congress, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the Ovarian Cancer IMPACT Act. It stipulates that insurance plans must cover genetic testing for patients with hereditary risk factors. The Hill reports.

Bill sponsors

In the Senate, the measure was led by Michigan Democrat Elissa Slotkin and Alabama Republican Katie Britt. Their counterparts in the House of Representatives were Connecticut Democrat Rosa DeLauro and Nebraska Republican Don Bacon.

In addition to provisions on insurance coverage for genetic screenings, the initiative provides for expanded education and outreach on the risks of gynecological cancers.

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Johanna’s Law program

The bill also provides for the reauthorization of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Johanna’s Law program, which is about 20 years old. The program funds a federal education campaign on gynecological cancers.

Slotkin linked her support for the initiative to her family’s experience. Her mother, Judith, died of ovarian cancer in 2011, and the family faced difficulties in dealing with insurance companies during her illness.

Britt stated that it is important to provide funding for research into women’s health, including ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and menopause, as well as to ensure that people in different regions of the United States have access to the results of such research and technologies. The Hill notes that the initiative is a rare example of cooperation between Democrats and Republicans on expanding health insurance coverage and federal funding for cancer prevention.