Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act

Bill: 117-s-1312
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2021-04-22
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer

Disability assistance

Health care coverage and access

Medicare

Social Welfare

Women's health
Latest action: action_date: 2021-04-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-04-22
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act</strong></p> <p>This bill expedites payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eligibility for Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer (i.e., breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body).</p> <p>Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. Under current law, individuals generally must wait five months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1312 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 22, 2021 Mr. Murphy (for himself, Ms. Ernst , Ms. Hassan , Mrs. Shaheen , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Blunt , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Van Hollen , Ms. Smith , and Mr. Tester ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting periods for disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act . 2. Elimination of waiting period for individuals with metastatic breast cancer (a) In general Section 223(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 423(a) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), in the matter following subparagraph (E), by inserting or metastatic breast cancer after amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ; and (2) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting or (iii) after clause (ii) . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to applications for disability insurance benefits filed after the date of the enactment of this Act. 3. Waiver of 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage of individuals with metastatic breast cancer (a) In general Section 226(h) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 426(h) ) is amended by inserting or metastatic breast cancer after amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) . (b) Effective Date The amendments made by this section shall apply to benefits for months beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.