Last June, Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN) and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL) reintroduced the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act (the “Act”) to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, respectively.
Since its proposal, the Act has been referred to different committees within the House of Representatives; however, neither chamber of Congress has acted on it.
In this issue of KingSpry’s heARTbeat blog, Adoption and ART Practice Chair, Dorota Gasienica-Kozak, Esq., reviews the proposed bill (S.2213/H.R.4363) and emphasizes the importance of the Act’s intention to address the health of cancer survivors.
According to the proposed bill, there are approximately 18 million Americans who are cancer survivors today, and that number is projected to reach 26 million by 2040. Due to these concerning numbers, Congress-men and -women have identified the need to regulate and/or create ways to sustain the care needed by cancer survivors.
The Act aims to improve the survivorship, treatment, quality of life, and long-term health outcomes of those who have faced cancer diagnosis. Upon its passage, the Act will develop a minimum standard of care for cancer survivorship.
Impact
In their memorandum, the sponsors assert that the Act is a landmark piece of legislation that “aims to provide a lifeline to survivors and their families by addressing the entire survivorship continuum.” The Act will address several aspects of the continuum of cancer care, including:
- Care Planning and Transition
- Payment
- Navigation
- Quality of Care
- Workforce
- Education
Medicaid Coverage of Cancer Fertility Services
Upon its passage, the Act will amend the Social Security Act to require Medicaid coverage for cancer fertility services. Such services include fertility treatment and fertility preservation services for individuals diagnosed with cancer who (1) are undergoing treatment for such cancer where such treatment may lead to iatrogenic infertility, (2) previously underwent such treatment and may be at risk of such infertility due to such treatment, and (3) are preparing to undergo such treatment where such treatment may lead to such infertility, among other services.
If you have questions regarding ART, KingSpry’s ART Law Group Chair, Dorota Gasienica-Kozak, Esq., is prepared to assist you. Gasienica-Kozak is a fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA), a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), a member of SEEDS, a promoter for RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, and a committee member of the American Bar Association’s Family and ART Law sections.
