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.

Ongoing Advocacy in New York

Advocates in New York also continue working to protect existing biomarker testing access amid ongoing state budget negotiations.

Earlier this year, Governor Hochul proposed changes to Medicaid biomarker testing coverage that raised concerns among patient advocacy organizations and coalition partners. Advocates have continued urging lawmakers to preserve strong patient access standards and oppose proposals that could limit coverage. Negotiations between the governor’s office and the legislature remain ongoing as budget talks continue.

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.