CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE ANNOUNCES HOUSE PASSAGE OF HIS LEGISLATION TO EXPAND ACCESS TO LIFESAVING CANCER SCREENINGS

(Washington, D.C.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle celebrated the passage of the EARLY Act, which includes the full provisions of his SCREENS for Cancer Act, legislation he authored to expand the availability of early detection services and other cancer screenings.

The Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for CancerAct reauthorizes the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) through 2030, strengthening access to preventive care that helps detect cancer earlier, improve outcomes, and save lives.

"Cancer has touched my family in the most personal way, and I know firsthand how critical early detection can be," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "No one should have to forgo a lifesaving screening because they can't afford it or don't have adequate insurance. I'm proud the House came together in a bipartisan way to pass the SCREENS for Cancer Act, bringing us one step closer to expanding access to breast and cervical cancer screenings for the people who need them most. Early detection saves lives, and I'll keep fighting until every family has access to the care they deserve."

Since its creation, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program has provided more than 16.5 million screening examinations, helping diagnose nearly 80,000 invasive breast cancers and more than 5,300 invasive cervical cancers. The program provides critical screening and diagnostic services to women who might otherwise go without preventive care because of financial or insurance barriers.

If enacted into law, the SCREENS for Cancer Act would:

• Reauthorize the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program through 2030 with funding of $235 million annually.
• Expand outreach, patient navigation, and follow-up care for low-income, uninsured, and underserved communities.
• Support evidence-based strategies to increase screening rates and reduce disparities in cancer detection.
• Require a Government Accountability Office study evaluating program effectiveness, service utilization, and barriers to screening access.
• Modernize the program's priorities to strengthen prevention, early detection, and treatment efforts.

The legislation now heads to the United States Senate for consideration.

Congressman Morelle has long championed efforts to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for families across Rochester and the Finger Lakes. He will continue working to advance bipartisan solutions that improve health outcomes and ensure every American has access to preventive care.

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