The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced 28 bills to the full House last week, including American College of Radiology® (ACR®)-supported legislation to strengthen resources for early cancer detection and support for behavioral health services for front-line healthcare workers.
The committee voted in support of H.R. 3916, the Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services for Cancer Act of 2023 (SCREENS for Cancer Act). Introduced by Reps. Joseph Morelle (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), the SCREENS for Cancer Act would strengthen resources for early cancer detection. Specifically, the bill would reauthorize the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) through 2028, making it easier for vulnerable populations to get the preemptive care they need. The NBCCEDP provides lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to women who are low-income, uninsured or underinsured who do not qualify for Medicaid. Similar legislation in the Senate (S. 1840) was introduced by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Susan Collins (R-ME), and others. As a next step, the SCREENS for Cancer Act would need to be voted on by the House and Senate.
Legislation to reauthorize the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (H.R. 7153) through 2029 also passed unanimously out of committee. H.R. 7153 provides grants to help healthcare organizations offer behavioral health services for front-line healthcare workers. Without congressional action, this critical legislation to promote healthcare professional well-being will expire at the end of this year.
The ACR will continue to update members on the progress of these important bills. For more information, contact Ashley Walton, ACR Government Affairs Director.