Quinton Law (left to right), Moorestown mayor and government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; pancreatic cancer survivor Nick Pifani; state Sen. Troy Singleton; and volunteers for the ACS CAN met earlier this month to discuss the importance of specific policies to fight cancer.
Both chambers in the state legislature passed a bill last month to increase access to essential biomarker testing that will now go to Gov. Phil Murphy for signing.
Progress in improving cancer outcomes increasingly involves the use of precision medicine, which uses information about a person’s own genes or proteins to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases like cancer, according to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).
Biomarker testing opens the door to precision medicine, including targeted therapies that can result in improved survivorship and better quality of life for individuals with cancer and other diseases and chronic illnesses.
The legislation would also make it possible for more patients to get the right treatment at the right time.
“Despite evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of biomarker testing and targeted therapy, not all individuals currently benefit equitably from these advances,” said Sen. Troy Singleton. “Dozens of states have made expanded biomarker testing part of their insurance laws, and this important proposal will ensure New Jersey is among them.”
“Expanding the appropriate coverage for biomarker testing is going to ensure that patients get the right treatment at the right time,” noted Moorestown Mayor Quinton Law, government relations director for ACS CAN. “We believe that not only does this lead to lifesaving treatment, but it reduces potential costs for patients and ultimately achieves the triple aim of health care, which is improved quality of life, improved outcomes when it comes to survivorship and reduced costs.
“That, to us, is really the goal of what we’re trying to do for the American Cancer Society, along with ending cancer as we know it.”
ACS CAN is leading the efforts on the policy change to ensure more patients can get the testing needed to access precision medicine. Despite the proven benefits, some insurers are failing to keep pace with innovations and advancements in biomarker testing, according to the ACS CAN. That results in some patients being forced to decide whether to pay out of pocket or go without the testing that may connect them with lifesaving treatment or help them avoid unnecessary or ineffective treatments.
Research suggests that specific communities – including people of color, individuals with lower incomes and rural communities – are being left behind of advances in precision treatments. But the approved legislation can help address the gaps in biomarker testing access.
“We all know someone that has been affected by cancer, and it shouldn’t have to be that way,” Law stated. “One thing that we say at ACS CAN often is, ‘Cancer is nonpartisan. It knows no bounds.’ We must take a nonpartisan approach in making sure that we reduce the devastating impact of this disease, and we’re seeing that in the state house.
“There are champions from both sides of the aisle that are stepping up and supporting this bill because they know it’s a good bill and they know that it’s going to improve patients’ lives across the state of New Jersey,” Law added, “and we have seen that in the data across the country …
“Once this is signed into law by Gov. Murphy, we will be the 21st state to pass biomarker legislation.”
