A Legislative Gap: Why the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act Remains Stalled
Most of Congress backs this bill – It has become an uncommon occurrence when a majority of the House of Representatives reaches consensus on any given issue. Nevertheless, 259 members from both political parties have joined together to co-sponsor the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act. This legislation, spearheaded by Representatives Andrew Garbarino of New York and Kathy Castor of Florida, currently sits dormant within the Ways and Means Committee. The question remains: what is causing this delay?
The Burden of Waiting
Current federal regulations grant individuals under sixty-five years old who receive a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis access to both Medicare and Social Security Disability Insurance. However, these same statutes enforce what many consider to be unnecessarily harsh and arbitrary waiting periods before benefits begin. Patients must endure a five-month waiting period for disability insurance, followed by an additional twenty-four months before Medicare coverage starts. For women and men facing an average life expectancy of merely three years, this timeline is devastating. They are essentially dying while waiting to receive benefits they have earned and paid for through their employment taxes.
I can personally confirm how profoundly metastatic breast cancer disrupts one’s existence. Two years ago, thirty-eight years following my original diagnosis and after numerous years being told I was cancer-free, I received a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, no cure currently exists for this condition.
Personal Experience and Systemic Challenges
I have been fortunate in many ways. I possess something that millions of Americans lack: comprehensive healthcare coverage and access to exceptional medical professionals and cutting-edge institutions. Despite this advantage, I confront daily the substantial and escalating side effects of my treatments and the disease itself. I manage the relentless assault on both my mind and body, alongside an ever-expanding list of medical concerns, all while maintaining my career and striving to live as normally as possible. Even with premium health insurance, I spend thousands of dollars annually on necessary medications, doctor visits, and medical interventions.
I may be fortunate, but I am also truly angry that our leaders are unwilling to use the power that we give them to improve what’s left of the lives of those with metastatic breast cancer.
While I have been blessed with resources, I cannot fathom navigating metastatic cancer without health coverage or the financial means to pay for care. I cannot imagine carrying that additional burden alongside the constant demands of this illness. It is difficult to accept that this reality exists for so many Americans today.
A Call for Congressional Action
I hope our public servants in Congress truly understand the hardships their constituents face. Consider T’Ana, a Virginia mother of two who was forced to choose between supporting her family financially and receiving treatment for her metastatic breast cancer. Despite working two jobs and previously taking out a loan to afford her medication, T’Ana eventually stopped treatment to avoid accumulating more debt. The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act would shield women like her from having to make such impossible decisions.
Congress has located billions of dollars for immigration enforcement and billions more for the defense department. Our lawmakers remain passive while those billions are spent on a war of choice in the Middle East. Surely our representatives can identify the funds necessary to help women and men with metastatic breast cancer live longer and better lives.
Two-hundred and fifty-nine bipartisan House members have sponsored the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act. That number has to signify something important. Congress, it is time to act—beginning with a markup in the House Ways and Means Committee, which is the next step toward final passage this year. Enough lip service. Enough ignoring the real pain of so many of your constituents. It’s just enough. Pass the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act.
Fran Visco, president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, is a more than 30-year breast cancer survivor and 2025 recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian award in the United States.
