Cancer Treatment Access bill becomes law

Legislation to improve cancer treatment access has been signed into law this week.

The law will take effect in 60 days.

The companion bill to Senate Bill 954 sponsored by Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Allegheny, Act 39 of 2024 will provide Pennsylvanians improved access to personalized treatments following a diagnosis of cancer and other specific diseases through biomarker testing and precision medicine.

“It was an honor to work with Rep. Mullins to write legislation with the shared goal of improving cancer treatment access,” Robinson said in a statement. “Act 39 of 2024 is a significant step forward in ensuring that patients receive the most effective, personalized treatment options available.”

According to a release, biomarker testing seeks 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.

“By expanding access to biomarker testing and precision medicine, we can detect diseases and tailor treatments to the individual needs of each patient,” said Robinson. “It addresses critical disparities in care, ensuring that all Pennsylvanians have access to these life-saving advancements.”

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