HARRISBURG – The Senate approved legislation yesterday to improve cancer treatment access, according to Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37).
House Bill 1754 – the companion bill to Robinson’s Senate Bill 954 – would provide Pennsylvanians better access to personalized treatments following a diagnosis of cancer and other specific diseases through biomarker testing and precision medicine.
Biomarker testing looks for biological changes at a molecular level, helping to detect cancer and other conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease to ensure patients get the right treatment option, and predicts the growth and spread of disease.
“The bill’s approval is a major milestone in healthcare, providing Pennsylvanians with better access to personalized cancer treatments. Advancements in biomarker testing and precision medicine offers hope and better outcomes for patients,” said Robinson. “With a family history of cancer and the BRCA-2 gene mutation, I know firsthand the importance of early screening and targeted treatment. I want this opportunity for every Pennsylvanian.”
With the fast-paced innovations and advancements in technology, House Bill 1754 would streamline the process, remove financial barriers, standardize definitions and procedures and acknowledge the disparities in treatment – especially among diverse populations.
The bill now heads to the governor to be signed into law.
CONTACT:
Allison Dutrey