Written by Julia Thayer, Associate Director, Advocacy

There have been several exciting advocacy developments in recent weeks, especially at the state level, where advocates and coalition partners continue advancing efforts to expand access to biomarker testing and improve patient care.

Tennessee Becomes the 24th State with Comprehensive Biomarker Testing Coverage

Earlier in May, Tennessee officially became the 24th state to enact comprehensive biomarker testing coverage legislation after Governor Bill Lee signed the bill into law.

The legislation expands coverage of biomarker testing under Medicaid and the state employee health plan, helping more patients access precision medicine and targeted treatment options without unnecessary financial or insurance barriers.

For many ovarian and gynecologic cancer patients, biomarker testing can help guide treatment decisions, identify targeted therapies, and improve outcomes.

This victory is a powerful reminder of what sustained advocacy can accomplish! We are deeply grateful to the advocates, healthcare professionals, coalition partners, and lawmakers who helped make this happen.

Advocacy Win in New York

New York advocates recently secured an important victory in the state budget process, helping preserve access to biomarker testing for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Earlier this year, proposed changes to the state’s biomarker testing law raised concerns among patient advocacy organizations and coalition partners. In response, advocates mobilized to educate lawmakers about the importance of maintaining strong patient access protections.

The final budget preserves the core biomarker testing coverage criteria that advocates fought to protect, ensuring continued access to this critical tool for guiding personalized treatment decisions.

OCRA was proud to join coalition partners in these efforts. This outcome demonstrates the impact advocacy can have in protecting access to high-quality, evidence-based cancer care.

Federal Update: Clinical Trial Modernization Act Introduced in Senate

There is encouraging news at the federal level, with the introduction of the Clinical Trial Modernization Act (S. 4440) in the Senate by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Mark Warner (D-VA).

The bipartisan legislation aims to reduce barriers to clinical trial participation, particularly for patients in rural communities, low-income communities, and other underrepresented populations.

The bill would:

  • Support enrollment among historically underrepresented populations 
  • Allow coverage of essential participation costs such as food, transportation, and lodging 
  • Permit payment of copays and coinsurance tied to trial participation 
  • Expand opportunities for remote monitoring to reduce unnecessary travel burdens 
  • Make up to $2,000 in clinical trial payments tax-exempt while preserving eligibility for safety net programs 

These reforms could have a meaningful impact for ovarian and gynecologic cancer patients, many of whom face significant logistical and financial barriers to participating in clinical trials.

OCRA plans to sign on to a coalition letter of support for the legislation and will continue advocating for policies that improve equitable access to clinical trials and innovative treatments.

In the meantime, coalition partners at American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are collecting first-hand accounts from patients, providers, and researchers about barriers to clinical trial participation to help educate congressional offices and build support for the legislation. If you or someone you know has a story to share, please consider doing so here.

Thank you for continuing to raise your voices and engage in advocacy efforts across the country. Every story shared, message sent, and meeting attended helps move this work forward.