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State Advocacy Initiatives
Learn about FORCE’s state advocacy efforts on genetic counseling, testing, protections, cancer screening, treatments, and more. Sign up for our community newsletter to receive the latest updates.

State Public Policy Initiatives

FORCE is engaged in a variety of state legislative initiatives—affordable access to genetic counseling and testing, high-risk “supplemental” cancer screenings, fertility treatments and cancer therapies, banning genetic discrimination, etc.—representing the unique needs of individuals with or at risk of hereditary cancer.

in progress

Genetic counseling and testing

SB535/SB536 will permit genetic counselors to prescribe genetic testing.

in progress

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

A6561/S6551 will amend current law, requiring most health insurers to cover image-guided breast biopsies with no patient cost-sharing.

in progress

Fertility services

HB7022 will expand coverage of fertility services, including preservation and IVF, to include Medicaid.

in progress

High-risk prostate cancer screening

HB334/SB190 will require most health insurers to cover prostate cancer screening for individuals at increased risk.

in progress

Fertility services

HB487 will require most individual and group health plans for over 25 employees to cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including IVF. 

in progress

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB2561 will require most health insurers to cover guideline-recommended breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms, and breast ultrasounds) and diagnostic imaging with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

Genetic testing

HB2292 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover genetic counseling and multigene panel testing with no patient cost-sharing for individuals with a family history of cancer. 

unsuccessful effort

Genetic counselor licensure

HB2028 will facilitate state licensure of genetic counselors by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). 

law passed

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

SB123 will require most health insurers to cover guideline-recommended breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms, and breast ultrasounds) and diagnostic imaging with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

Genetic testing and high-risk cancer screenings

HB1079/SB331 will require most health insurers to cover genetic testing for those with a personal or family history of cancer, and coverage of the associated guideline-recommended cancer screenings with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

SB25-296 will make changes to the current statute, clarifying that diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations, in addition to regular breast cancer screening, do not require cost sharing by the patient.

Connecticut

in progress

Fertility services

HB7022 will expand coverage of fertility services, including preservation and IVF, to include Medicaid recipients.

in progress

Colon cancer screening

HB5174 will require that individuals and group health insurers cover physician-recommended screening and diagnostic colonoscopies with no patient cost-sharing.

in progress

High-risk breast screenings

SB1578 will require the state's Medicaid program to cover a mammogram and ONE supplemental breast screening for women at increased risk of cancer (subject to the availability of funds).

in progress

Fertility services

HB677/SB924 will require state group health plans to cover fertility preservation for individuals who will encounter medically-induced infertility due to cancer treatment.

in progress

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB141/S158 will require most health insurers to cover guideline-recommended breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms, and breast ultrasounds) and diagnostic imaging with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

Genetic testing and high-risk cancer screenings

HB420 will require most health insurers to cover genetic testing for those with a personal or family history of cancer, and coverage of the associated guideline-recommended cancer screenings with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

High-risk prostate cancer screening

HB373 will require most health insurers to cover prostate cancer screening for individuals at increased risk.

in progress

Fertility services

HB94 will facilitate insurance coverage of fertility preservation for individuals with diagnosed cancer, sickle cell disease, or lupus.

in progress

Fertility services

HB139/SB642 will require most health plans to cover fertility preservation and IVF for patients who are or may become infertile. 

law passed

High-risk breast screenings

HB134 will require most health insurers to cover ONE supplemental/high-risk screening (MRI, contrast mammogram imaging, or ultrasound) per year with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

Protections against genetic discrimination

SB0250 will prohibit life, long-term care and disability insurers from using genetic information when considering benefits, fees or coverage determinations.

in progress

Genetic testing and associated cancer screenings

HB3605 will amend current law by removing the $50 copay for genetic testing and eliminating patient cost-sharing for NCCN guideline-recommended high-risk, supplemental cancer screenings.

unsuccessful effort

Fertility services

HB1205 will require most health plans to cover fertility preservation and IVF.

unsuccessful effort

Breast cancer research

HB1299 will require the Indiana department of health to establish a program to provide research grants to cancer centers in the state.

unsuccessful effort

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB1061 will require that health insurers cover medically appropriate breast screenings (breast mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds) for women at increased risk of breast cancer and diagnostic services with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

High-risk prostate cancer screening

LD1502 will require most insurers to cover prostate cancer screening with no patient cost-sharing if recommended by a physician.

unsuccessful effort

Genetic testing and high-risk cancer screenings

HB830/SB476 will require most health insurers to cover genetic testing for those with a personal or family history of cancer, and coverage of the associated guideline-recommended cancer screenings with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

Protections against genetic discrimination

HB1007/SB757 will prohibit life, long-term care and disability insurers from using genetic information when considering benefits, fees or coverage determinations.

Massachusetts

in progress

Patient navigation

H1173 will require Medicaid coverage of patient navigation services to improve access to care for individuals who are eligible for screening, follow-up or treatment services.

Minnesota

in progress

Genetic testing and associated cancer screenings

HF703/SF1302 will require most health insurers to cover genetic testing for those with a personal or family history of cancer, and coverage of the associated NCCN guideline-recommended cancer screenings with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

Fertility services

HF1758/SF1961 will facilitate Medicaid and private/commercial insurance coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including fertility preservation and IVF.

Mississippi

law passed

Genetic counselor licensure

HB675/SB2705 will facilitate the licensure of genetic counselors by the state Board of Health. 

unsuccessful effort

Genetic testing and high-risk cancer screenings

HB1400/SB2400 will require most health insurers to cover genetic testing for those with a personal or family history of cancer, and coverage of the associated guideline-recommended cancer screenings with no patient cost-sharing. 

unsuccessful effort

Fertility services

SB2031 will facilitate insurance coverage of fertility preservation for individuals who may become infertile due to surgery or medical treatment. 

in progress

Fertility services

HB497 will require individual and group health plans (with 25 or more employees) to cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including IVF

in progress

Genetic counseling and testing

HB1080 would require most health insurers to cover genetic counseling and multigene panel genetic testing with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

Genetic counseling and BRCA genetic testing

SB406 will require health insurers to cover genetic counseling and BRCA genetic testing with no patient cost-sharing.

in progress

Step-therapy limits

SB422 will limit step-therapy practices in accordance with NCCN guidelines for those with metastatic cancer.

in progress

Protections against genetic discrimination

LB338 will prohibit life, long-term care and disability insurers from using genetic information when considering benefits, fees or coverage determinations.

in progress

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

Bill will expand and improve current statutes, requiring private/commercial health insurers to cover breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds) for individuals with a family history of cancer or additional factors that may increase their cancer risk with no cost-sharing for the patient. 

in progress

Fertility services

SB217 will require most insurers and Medicaid to cover fertility preservation and IVF. 

in progress

Genetic counselor licensure

SB189 will facilitate the licensure of genetic counselors by the Board of Medical Examiners. 

New Jersey

in progress

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

A5542/S4309 will require most health insurers to cover guideline-recommended breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms, and breast ultrasounds) and diagnostic imaging with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

Fertility services

A5000/S3831 will facilitate Medicaid coverage of fertility preservation services for individuals facing infertility caused by medically necessary treatments.

in progress

High-risk prostate cancer screening

A1841/S3060 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover prostate screenings with no patient cost-sharing for individuals considered at increased risk. 

New Mexico

unsuccessful effort

Fertility services

HB95 will require insurance coverage of fertility preservation services for individuals whose disease or disease treatment may lead to infertility.

in progress

Breast cancer diagnostics

A6561/S6551 will modify current statute to include coverage of image-guided breast biopsies with no patient cost-sharing.

in progress

Fertility services

S3745 will require Medicaid coverage of fertility preservation services for individuals whose disease or disease treatment may lead to infertility.

in progress

Fertility Services

S2619 will require coverage of IVF by individual insurance plans and remove the three-cycle limit on group health plan coverage of IVF.

in progress

Genetic counselor licensure

A183/S3029 will establish a state board for genetic counseling and licensure of genetic counselors. 

in progress

Genetic testing

S520 will ensure ovarian cancer survivors have insurance coverage for medically necessary coverage of genetic and biomarker testing.

in progress

Protections against genetic discrimination

A3229/S6214 will prohibit life, long-term care and disability insurers from using genetic information when considering benefits, fees or coverage determinations. 

North Carolina

in progress

Fertility services

HB744 will launch a 7-year pilot program that awards local universities (3 grantees) to provide fertility services to uninsured individuals and those whose insurance does not cover these services.

North Dakota

unsuccessful effort

Fertility services

HB1282 will facilitate insurance coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including medically appropriate fertility preservation and in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

unsuccessful effort

Fertility services

HB1284 will facilitate insurance coverage of fertility preservation for individuals who may become infertile due to surgery or medical treatment. 

unsuccessful effort

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB1283 will require most health insurers to cover guideline-recommended breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms, and breast ultrasounds) and diagnostic imaging with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

High-risk prostate cancer screening

HB33 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover prostate screenings with no patient cost-sharing for individuals at increased risk.

in progress

Genetic testing and associated cancer screenings

HB2270/SB109 will require health insurers to cover genetic testing and evidence-based cancer screenings for individuals at increased cancer risk with no patient cost-sharing.

in progress

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB1389 will require that health insurers cover guideline-recommended breast screenings (mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds) for women at increased risk of breast cancer and diagnostic services with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

Fertility services

HB2959/SB535 will require most health plans to cover fertility preservation and IVF.

Pennsylvania

in progress

Fertility services

SB351 will require most health plans to cover in vitro fertilization (IVF).

in progress

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB433 will amend the current state law by expanding coverage of supplemental breast cancer screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds) and adding coverage of diagnostic imaging with no patient cost-sharing

in progress

High-risk prostate cancer screening

HB281 will require most health insurers to cover prostate cancer screening for individuals at increased risk.

Rhode Island

in progress

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

SB197 will require that most health insurers supplemental breast screenings (mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds) for individuals at increased risk of breast cancer and diagnostic imaging with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

Fertility services

H5629/S691 will amend current law, expanding the eligibility criteria for fertility services, including fertility preservation, IVF and embryo transfer.

South Carolina

in progress

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

H3202 will require all state health insurers to cover guideline-recommended supplemental breast screenings (breast MRIs and breast ultrasounds) and diagnostic exams with no patient cost-sharing.

in progress

Protections against genetic discrimination

H2357 will prohibit life, long-term care and disability insurers from using genetic information when considering benefits, fees or coverage determinations.

South Dakota

unsuccessful effort

Breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB1070 will require most group health insurers to cover guideline-recommended supplemental breast screenings (breast MRIs and breast ultrasounds) and diagnostic exams with no patient cost-sharing.

Tennessee

in progress

Fertility services

HB595/SB463 will require most health insurers to cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including IVF.

in progress

Genetic testing and high-risk cancer screenings

SB1955 will require most insurers to cover cancer-related genetic testing and the associated guideline-recommended cancer screenings with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

SB1747 will require most health insurers to cover guideline-recommended breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms, and breast ultrasounds) and diagnostic imaging with no patient cost-sharing. 

in progress

High-risk prostate screening

HB712 will require most health insurers to cover prostate cancer screening for individuals at increased risk.

in progress

Genetic counselor licensure

HB1503/SB642 will facilitate the licensing and regulation of genetic counselors.

in progress

Fertility services

H302 will facilitate private/commercial insurance coverage of fertility preservation and IVF;  requests CMS approval to cover these services for Medicaid recipients.

law passed

High-risk prostate cancer screening

HB2097/SB1314 updates existing coverage requirements for prostate cancer screenings to reflect updated tests and guidelines from the American Cancer Society.

in progress

Fertility services

HB1609 will facilitate private/commercial insurance coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including fertility preservation and in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

law passed

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

HB1828/SB1436 will require private/commercial health insurers to cover supplemental breast screenings (breast MRIs and breast ultrasounds) and diagnostic exams with no patient cost-sharing for individuals in accordance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines.

Washington

in progress

Fertility services

HB1129/SB5121 will facilitate private/group insurance coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including fertility preservation and in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

West Virginia

unsuccessful effort

High-risk breast screenings and diagnostic tests

SB430 will require most health insurers to cover supplemental breast screenings (breast MRIs, diagnostic mammograms, and breast ultrasounds) and diagnostic imaging with no patient cost-sharing. 

unsuccessful effort

Fertility services

HB2824/SB669 will require most health insurers to cover fertility preservation for individuals who are or may become infertile due to treatment or surgery.