Public Policy Priorities
Review some of FORCE's current legislative and regulatory policy priorities that impact the hereditary cancer community.Stay up to date on research and information
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February 2024 - U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations guide the use of many health screenings and determine which preventive services are available to patients at no cost under the ACA. FORCE submitted comments in response to the recently published draft USPSTF BRCA screening research plan. Once finalized, the latest studies will be analyzed and the guidelines will be updated accordingly.
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.
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!
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.
News Briefs
7/2/2024 - Joined more than 50 organizations in submitting feedback on the draft guidance for the second cycle of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, which will impact drug pricing as well as innovation.
5/14/2024 - Urged the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to create a Colorectal Cancer Research Program within the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.
4/29/2024 - Sent the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) feedback and recommendations on its Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Programs: Part C and Part D Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Model Documents.
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