AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee voted Tuesday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Sam Zager, D-Portland, that would require health insurance coverage for biomarker testing.
Biomarker testing is the analysis of a patient's tissue, blood or other biological specimen for an indicator of a normal or abnormal process or pharmacologic response such as how well a person might respond to a particular treatment for cancer or other serious illness. LD 1577 would require insurance coverage for biomarker testing, including coverage under MaineCare, for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management or ongoing monitoring of a disease or condition.
"Mainers who are facing a difficult health situation deserve to have the most effective and least harmful treatment for their specific version of a disease. Passing this biomarker bill would help accomplish this," said Zager, who is a practicing family physician. "LD 1577 would also put us one step closer to a more fair and sustainable system of healthcare that we should collectively foster."
The bill was supported at its public hearing last May by numerous organizations, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, ALS Association, the Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, American Lung Association, American Kidney Fund, Arthritis Foundation, AdvaMed and the National Marrow Donor Program. Additional testimony from health care providers, Mainers with personal stories and others can be found here.
In addition to the health benefits, the overall fiscal impact of the legislation is expected to be neutral, according to the Legislature's nonpartisan Office of Fiscal and Program Review. Biomarker testing does cost money up front, but identifying the ideal treatment for a patient is more effective, therefore saving over time.
As biotechnology rapidly advances, this bill would help reduce health disparities.
"Patients who are older, Black, uninsured or Medicaid-insured, live in rural communities, and those who get their care in a community setting versus academic medical centers, are less likely to be tested for certain guideline-indicated biomarkers," said Danielle Adams, managing director of advocacy for the New England chapter of the ALS Association, during the public hearing. "Without action, lack of access to biomarker testing could increase existing disparities in health outcomes by race, ethnicity, income, and geography."
LD 1577 faces further votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Zager, a member of the Health and Human Services Committee, is serving his second term in the Maine House and represents part of Portland.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Zager], c. 305-965-2744