Westmoreland Review

Jun. 13, 2024

Biomarker Testing Legislation Will Improve and Expedite Care

As June progresses and the June 30 deadline for the General Assembly to adopt a budget looms, the political divide that sometimes slows the passage of legislation is only increasing.

But every so often, a bill that can significantly help Pennsylvanians is considered on the House floor and draws support from nearly every House member. Last week, such a bill was passed.

House Bill 1754 would require insurance coverage of biomarker testing by both commercial insurance and government-sponsored plans, subject to federal approval.

In the medical world, biomarker testing is a component of precision medicine, which uses genetic or molecular testing in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of different medical conditions.

Testing of biomarkers has already been helpful in treating cancer. Such tests allow doctors to look at an individual patient’s genes, proteins, and other testing sources.

According to the National Cancer Institute, every patient has a unique pattern of biomarkers. When doctors test those biomarkers in existing cancer patients, a treatment plan can be tailored specifically for that patient.

The American Cancer Society notes as an example that patients with certain lung cancers who received biomarker testing and then targeted therapy saw a 31% reduction in risk of death. This is not only because the treatment is better targeted for the individual patient but because biomarkers also provide information about how and if the cancer may spread.

Biomarker testing has also been used successfully in assembling treatment plans for rheumatoid arthritis patients. The biomarker called anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides usually appears before symptoms develop, which helps doctors diagnose the disease earlier and then develop a treatment plan likely to be more successful than if treatment began after symptoms appeared.

It's unfortunate, but similar to government, sometimes insurance standards work at a slower pace than technology, which is why House Bill 1754 is necessary. By increasing access to more expedient and efficient diagnoses, treatment costs are likely to decrease because doctors can be more selective in choosing which medications and therapies to use.

Now referred to the Senate, House Bill 1754 has been passed by that chamber’s Banking and Insurance Committee. If passed by the entire Senate without amendment, it could be sent to the governor’s desk very soon.

"I will be certain to keep readers informed should House Bill 1754 be written into law," said Rep. Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland). "If biomarker testing is covered by more insurance plans, patients need to be aware of this technology and how it can help them."

In 2023, legislation sought by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward to make early detection of breast cancer more available was passed and signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro. The new law removed out-of-pocket costs for genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes as well as supplemental breast screenings for women with a high lifetime risk of breast cancer.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders shared by Rep. Cooper:

Join Me for a Telephone Town Hall - On Tuesday, June 25 at 5:30 p.m., tune in for another Telephone Town Hall! Special guest House Republican Appropriations Chairman Seth Grove will join us to discuss ongoing budget negotiations and other topics coming out of Harrisburg. Call in directly by dialing 877-229-8493 using ID code 122184.

Save the Date – Mark your calendar for my Community Health, Wellness & Career Fair on Saturday July 27 from 10a.m.-1p.m. at Knead Café Banquet on Barnes St., New Kensington. This free event is available to residents throughout the 55th District with various organizations present along with prize raffles and live bloodhound presentations.

Juneteenth National Freedom Day - This Wednesday June 19 marks Juneteenth National Freedom Day commemorating June 19th ,1865 when Union soldiers reached Galveston Texas announcing end Civil War ending slavery US two months after Confederate General Robert E Lee surrendered Virginia arrival troops came two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves accordingly state offices including PennDOT driver license photo centers closed customers obtain variety driver vehicle products services forms publications driver training manuals online through PennDOT Driver Vehicle Services website www.dmv.pa.gov learn history Juneteenth visiting www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth

Don’t Let Ticks Ruin Your Summer! - School out summer season officially kicks off June20 enjoy activities Pennsylvania offer take extra steps protect yourself loved ones against ticks associated illnesses such Lyme Disease here few tips Pennsylvania Department Conservation Natural Resources mind walk center trails use EPA registered insect repellents containing DEET picaridin IR3535 oil lemon eucalyptus para methane diol or undercanone bathe shower within two hours coming indoors find wash off ticks check entire body ticks mirror returning outdoors examine gear pets keep ticks brought inside tumble dry clothes high heat ten minutes kill ticks clothing

Representative Jill Cooper

55th Legislative District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Jordan Frei

724-875-8450

jillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper

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