Written by Julia Thayer, OCRA’s Associate Director, Advocacy

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time to not only honor everyone impacted by these diseases, but also remember those we have lost and recommit ourselves to creating meaningful change.

Bipartisan Ovarian Cancer IMPACT Act Introduced in Congress

This month, we have exciting news to share: the Ovarian Cancer Improving and Modernizing Prevention, Access, Care, and Testing (IMPACT) Act of 2026 has now been introduced in both chambers of Congress. This OCRA-led legislative effort was developed and advanced in partnership with congressional champions. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Katie Britt (R-AL) are leading the bill in the Senate, and Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) are leading the bill in the House.

The Ovarian Cancer IMPACT Act reflects OCRA’s commitment to addressing persistent gaps in ovarian and gynecologic cancer prevention, education, testing, and access to specialized care. The bill would:

  • Reauthorize and strengthen the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act, commonly known as “Johanna’s Law”, expanding national gynecologic cancer education and awareness efforts, and authorizing $20 million annually from FY27-FY31
  • Improve public and provider education about hereditary cancer syndromes, genetic counseling, ovarian cancer risk-reduction strategies, and referral pathways for specialty care;
  • Establish coverage standards for clinically appropriate genetic counseling, germline genetic testing, tumor genomic profiling, biomarker testing, early detection, and risk-reducing interventions;
  • Support demonstration projects that test innovative approaches to reaching rural, medically underserved, and high-risk communities; and
  • Connect rural healthcare providers with gynecologic oncology specialists through technology-enabled consultation, education, and care coordination.

Introducing the bill in both chambers is an important milestone, but it is only the beginning. Now we must build support, secure additional cosponsors, and show members of Congress that their constituents want action to improve ovarian and gynecologic cancer prevention and care.

Stay tuned for an OCRA action alert coming soon with an opportunity to urge your Members of Congress to support the Ovarian Cancer IMPACT Act.

With Members of Congress returning home for the district work period, this is an important time to make your voice heard and ask your representatives to support this bipartisan legislation. 

This is where advocates make the difference. Lawmakers need to hear directly from patients, survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and loved ones about why these policies matter. Personal stories help turn legislative language into a clear picture of the barriers people face, and the difference this bill could make for families across the country.

OCRA’s Advocate Leaders will be essential to moving the Ovarian Cancer IMPACT Act forward. They will help educate congressional offices, build relationships with lawmakers, respond to action alerts, and mobilize their communities at every stage of the legislative process.

Applications Close September 30 for OCRA’s 2027 Advocate Leaders Program

If you have been considering joining the program, now is the time: there is only one day left to apply for OCRA’s 2027 Advocate Leaders cohort! No previous advocacy experience is required, and the program is open to patients, survivors, caregivers, loved ones, healthcare professionals, and others connected to any gynecologic cancer.

Last chance! Apply today to become an OCRA Advocate Leader.

Together, we can build the momentum needed to move this legislation forward and bring better information, services, and care within reach for everyone affected by ovarian and other gynecologic cancers.