Durbin, Hirono Introduce New Legislation To Expand Access To Lifesaving Lung Cancer Screenings

Durbin, Hirono Introduce New Legislation To Expand Access To Lifesaving Lung Cancer Screenings

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in the U.S., accounting for 154,000 deaths annually-expanding access to early screenings could save an estimated 40,000 lives each year

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) today introduced new legislation to expand access to lung cancer screenings. The Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act would aim to improve lung cancer screening rates by expanding Medicaid programs to cover these tests for patients who meet the eligibility parameters set by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

Created by the Affordable Care Act, the USPSTF provides binding recommendations on which screening services must be covered by private insurance without co-pays. In 2021, the USPSTF revised its guidance to stipulate that all patients between ages 50 and 80 who have either smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years or smoked two packs a day for 10 years shall be eligible for lung cancer screenings with no cost-sharing. By law, private insurers must follow the current recommendation, and Medicare has a similar coverage alignment. However, Medicaid coverage decisions are made on a state-by-state basis, and most do not fit the current USPSTF guidance. As a result, only six percent of eligible patients actually receive lung cancer screenings.

The Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act would require Medicaid programs nationwide to provide coverage for lung cancer screenings for patients who fall within the USPSTF-recommended eligibility parameters. The bill also widens access to lung cancer screenings by prohibiting insurers from imposing prior authorizations under Medicare or private plans for a patient who meets USPSTF criteria. Additionally, the legislation would expand Medicaid coverage of smoking cessation treatment and counseling to encompass individuals seeking to quit e-cigarettes and vape pens.

"When I was 14 years old, my father passed from lung cancer. After watching him struggle, I made it a priority during my time in Congress to spare others from suffering like my father did," Durbin said. "With the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act, we can expand access to lifesaving cancer screenings, helping more Americans catch and fight lung cancer in the early stages."

"In Hawaii, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death, often because cases are caught after it is too late for effective treatment. With Hawaii being ranked last in the nation for early lung cancer detection, expanding access to screenings can make the difference between life and death," said Hirono. "By removing unnecessary administrative, coverage, and cost barriers that delay and prevent these essential screenings, this legislation could help millions of Americans get the lifesaving care they need."

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States, with 154,000 people dying from the disease annually. Lung cancer accounts for about one in five of all cancer deaths, killing more patients per year than breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer combined. Often, patients are diagnosed in the disease's late stages given the lack of early symptoms. Advances in low-dose CT scans over the past two decades have improved early detection, which studies have found can reduce mortality rates by 20 percent. An estimated 40,000 lives can be saved each year with comprehensive lung cancer screening.

The Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act is endorsed by the American Lung Association, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and LUNGevity Foundation.

"We applaud the introduction of the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act and support efforts to expand access to lifesaving lung cancer screening," said Vinay Badhwar, MD, President of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. "Early detection saves lives, and this legislation is an important step toward ensuring more patients can benefit from timely diagnosis and treatment."

Durbin has been a vocal leader in the fight against Big Tobacco since he lost his father to lung cancer when Durbin was 14 years old. He went after Big Tobacco when he served in the House of Representatives and led the charge to ban smoking on airplanes, which eventually led to bans on smoking in restaurants, office buildings, trains, and other locations. Durbin has also led efforts to grant FDA jurisdiction over tobacco, raise tobacco taxes to prevent youth initiation, and enhance support for tobacco cessation tools.

A copy of the bill text is available here.

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