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State Advocacy Initiatives
Learn about FORCE’s state advocacy efforts in the areas of access to care, research funding, insurance and privacy by signing up for our community newsletter.

State Public Policy Initiatives

FORCE is engaged in a variety of state legislative initiatives—affordable access to genetic testing, high-risk “supplemental” cancer screenings, fertility treatments and cancer therapies, banning genetic discrimination, etc.—representing the unique needs of individuals with or at risk of hereditary cancer.

law passed

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

SB134 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds) with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer or who have additional factors that may increase their cancer risk.

unsuccessful effort

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB2411 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds) with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer or who have additional factors that may increase their cancer risk.

unsuccessful effort

Genetic testing

HB2649 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover genetic counseling and multigene panel testing with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer. 

unsuccessful effort

Genetic counselor licensure

SB1043 will facilitate state licensure of genetic counselors by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). 

law passed

Fertility services

Summary: SB729 will facilitate improved private/commercial insurance coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including medically appropriate fertility preservation and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

law passed

High-risk prostate cancer screening

HB302-1 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover prostate screenings with no patient cost-sharing for men at increased risk.

unsuccessful effort

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB773/SB932 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds) with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer or who have additional factors that may increase their cancer risk. 

law passed

High-risk colorectal cancer screening

HB2385 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover high-risk colorectal cancer screenings (colonoscopy) with no cost-sharing.

law passed

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB4180 will make the language in the state’s breast screening law gender-neutral, changing “woman” to “patient” and will require Medicaid (in addition to private/commercial insurers) to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds) with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer or who have additional factors that may increase their cancer risk. 

law passed

Fertility services

SB773 will facilitate private/commercial insurance coverage (including the State Employees Group Insurance Program) of the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including medically appropriate fertility preservation, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

law passed

Genetic testing and associated cancer screenings

HB4562/SB2697 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover genetic testing (not to exceed a $50 copay) for those with a personal or family history of cancer, and coverage of the associated guideline-recommended cancer screenings (deductibles, coinsurance & copays apply). 

law passed

Breast reconstruction and density notification

HB1058 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover post-mastectomy chest wall reconstruction and aesthetic flat closure. In addition, the bill would require that mammography facilities provide written notice if a patient has dense breast tissue.

law passed

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HF2489/SF2358 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds) with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer or who have additional factors that may increase their cancer risk.

unsuccessful effort

Protections against genetic discrimination

HSB539/SF2360 will prohibit life, long-term care and disability insurers from using genetic information when considering benefits, fees or coverage determinations. 

law passed

Cancer screenings

HB52 will require private/commercial health insurers and Medicaid to cover all cancer screenings recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network or other guideline organizations with no-cost sharing for the patient. 

law passed

Breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB115 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover mammograms, diagnostic and supplemental breast exams with no patient cost-sharing. 

unsuccessful effort

Protections against genetic discrimination

HB982/SB142 will prohibit life, long-term care and disability insurers from using genetic information when considering benefits, fees or coverage determinations.

in progress

Breast screenings and diagnostic tests

H4918 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover medically appropriate breast screenings (breast mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds) and diagnostic imaging with no patient cost-sharing. 

law passed

Fertility preservation

Summary: H1041/S598 will facilitate private/commercial insurance coverage of fertility preservation for individuals diagnosed with a medical or genetic condition that may directly or indirectly cause impairment of fertility. Passed as part of the appropriations bill - H4600, Amendment 315/  S4, Amendment 396.

unsuccessful effort

Fertility preservation

Summary: HF1658/SF1704 will facilitate Medicaid and private/commercial insurance coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including medically appropriate fertility preservation and in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

law passed

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB1144/SB2263 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds) with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer or who have additional factors that may increase their cancer risk. 

unsuccessful effort

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

LB1353 will expand and improve current statutes, requiring private/commercial health insurers to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds) for individuals with a family history of cancer or additional factors that may increase their cancer risk with no cost-sharing for the patient. 

law passed

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB1296 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds) with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer or who have additional factors that may increase their cancer risk. 

in progress

High-risk prostate cancer screening

A1841/S3060 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover prostate screenings with no patient cost-sharing for individuals considered at increased risk. 

unsuccessful effort

Genetic counselor licensure

A49/S3552 will facilitate state licensure of genetic counselors by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). 

in progress

Limit step-therapy practices

A901/S1267 will significantly limit insurer step-therapy protocols and honor therapy exceptions for at least 12 months after the approval date.

unsuccessful effort

Protections against genetic discrimination

A2083/S5415 will prohibit life, long-term care and disability insurers from using genetic information when considering benefits, fees or coverage determinations. 

in progress

High-risk prostate cancer screening

HB550 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover prostate screenings with no patient cost-sharing for individuals at increased risk.

law passed

Fertility preservation

SB1334 will facilitate private/commercial insurance coverage of fertility preservation services for individuals who may face medically-induced infertility.

unsuccessful effort

Genetic testing and associated cancer screenings

HB3677/SB1264 will require most health insurers to cover genetic testing for those with a personal or family history of cancer and the associated guideline-recommended cancer screenings with no cost-sharing for the patient. 

unsuccessful effort

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

H7737/S2070 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds) with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer or who have additional factors that may increase their cancer risk.

unsuccessful effort

Protections against genetic discrimination

HB4218 will prohibit life, long-term care and disability insurers from using genetic information when considering benefits, fees or coverage determinations.

law passed

High-risk prostate cancer screening

HB2954/SB2883 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover prostate screenings with no patient cost-sharing for individuals considered at increased risk.

unsuccessful effort

Fertility services

HB2549/SB2629 will facilitate private/commercial insurance coverage of fertility preservation for individuals diagnosed with cancer.

law passed

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

H621 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds) with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer or who have additional factors that may increase their cancer risk. 

in progress

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB230 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds) with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer or who have additional factors that may increase their cancer risk.

unsuccessful effort

Fertility services

HB1151/SB5204 will facilitate private/commercial insurance coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including medically appropriate fertility preservation and in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

unsuccessful effort

Genetic counselor licensure

SB714 will facilitate state licensure of genetic counselors by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC).

unsuccessful effort

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

AB117/SB121 will require private/commercial health insurers and Medicaid to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds) with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer or who have additional factors that may increase their cancer risk.