As the legislative session ends, we want to reflect on our progress together. From Beacon Hill to Capitol Hill, we saw several Dana-Farber legislative priorities become reality, resulting in meaningful changes that will improve access to care, reduce financial barriers, and enhance health outcomes.
Whether you shared your story, contacted legislators, or helped spread the word by sharing this newsletter, you helped advance priorities that will prevent cancer and improve the lives of cancer patients and their families. Thank you!
Here is a year-end update on Dana-Farber's state and federal policy priorities.
State Legislation
Health Insurance Coverage for Follow-Up Diagnostic Breast Imaging
Last month, we were excited to share that Governor Healey signed into law HB4918, An Act relative to medically necessary breast screenings and exams for equity and early detection. The new law ensures that health plans regulated by the Commonwealth cover follow-up diagnostic breast imaging with no patient out-of-pocket costs.
Dr. Benjamin Ebert, President and CEO of Dana-Farber, shared remarks during Governor Healey's bill signing ceremony highlighting the importance of equitable access to follow-up diagnostic breast imaging. You can watch a clip from this monumental day below.
Health Insurance Coverage for Fertility Preservation Services
Thanks to a provision added to the Fiscal Year 2025 state budget, commercial insurance plans in the Commonwealth are now required to provide coverage for standard fertility preservation services when a patient has a diagnosed medical or genetic condition, such as cancer, that may directly or indirectly cause impairment of fertility by affecting reproductive organs or processes. This coverage ensures equitable access to fertility preservation services for patients facing a financial barrier to fertility preservation procedures.
Expanded Access to the Pediatric Palliative Care Program
The state budget also added new pediatric palliative care investments, including $10.4 million in funding for the program to support critically ill children and their families. It also raised the age of eligibility from 19 to 22 to create continuity of care with other state programs.
Updates on priorities for the next session
- An Act Relative to Cancer Patient Access to Biomarker Testing. Coverage for biomarker tests received favorable reports from two legislative committees this year and is sure to receive additional consideration in 2025. The bill ensures coverage of biomarker testing for diagnosing, treating, and managing illnesses such as cancer to avoid delays in determining whether a patient is a candidate for precision medicine therapy.
- An Act Relative to Reducing Administrative Burden. The bill received favorable reports from two legislative committees this past session. This proposal would improve patients' access and continuity of care by establishing commonsense safeguards around health insurance carriers’ prior authorization policies.
- An Act to Advance Health Equity. The legislation sponsored by the Health Equity Compact received a favorable report from the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing in 2024 and is gaining momentum ahead of the next session. The proposal's comprehensive reforms ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth have a fair opportunity to live healthy lives. The bill prioritizes equity in state government, introduces standards on reporting data to address health disparities, and offers reforms to improve access to high-quality care.
- An Act Promoting Access to Counsel and Housing Stability in Massachusetts. This bill aims to provide full legal representation for low-income tenants and owner-occupants facing eviction, helping to ensure housing stability. Although the legislation did receive a hearing with many testifying in favor, it did not progress during the session.
- An Act Relative to Telehealth and Digital Equity. This telehealth proposal builds on the progress made in telehealth access during the pandemic, aiming to ensure cancer patients and others can continue accessing telehealth services without disruptions through additional investments in internet connectivity and digital literacy. The hearing for this bill received testimony from many supporters, but it did not advance during this session.
More work lies ahead, and we ask you to join us in advocating in the upcoming legislative session, starting in January 2025.
Federal Updates
- As the 118th Congress wrapped up its work in December, we were pleased to see the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 (H.R. 3391/S. 1624) pass the Senate on December 20 after House passage earlier this year. This key legislation will reauthorize federal funding for the National Institutes of Health’s Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program, which supports research on lifesaving treatments and cures for childhood cancer. The bill now awaits the President’s signature to officially become law.
- On December 20, Congress also extended Medicare telehealth flexibilities until March 25, 2025. These flexibilities were set to expire on December 31, 2024.
- Unfortunately, Congress did not act to pass a key piece of legislation to ensure that kids with cancer and other serious illness have access to life-saving care. The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (AKACA) (H.R.4758/S. 2372) would address delays in access to specialized out-of-state care for children enrolled in state Medicaid programs by simplifying the process. Although the bill did pass the House of Representatives in July, it unfortunately was not included in the year end legislative package that was released on December 20.
Team Update
We’re excited to welcome Kashaf Maheen to the team as Dana-Farber’s 2024-25 Patient Advocacy Intern.
Kashaf is pursuing a Master of Public Health at Boston University, specializing in program management, advocacy, and public health leadership. She is actively collaborating with Dana-Farber Government Affairs and Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) to enhance patient advocacy and support legislative initiatives.
Advocacy Opportunity: Share the Patient/ Family Voice
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) and E-Advisors collaborate with staff and hospital leadership to enhance the care experience for patients and families at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. If you’re a patient or family member with experience at Dana-Farber and interested in volunteering, please visit our site to learn more. Volunteers must be 18 years or older and must be at least one year out of diagnosis or bereavement.
Stay Connected
For more information about our advocacy efforts and ways to get involved, please visit www.dana-farber.org/advocacy. You can also contact our team with any questions or comments at advocacy@dfci.harvard.edu.
As we welcome the new year, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a year filled with health, happiness, and hope. Thank you for being an integral part of our community and for your constant support in advancing our mission. Together, we look forward to achieving even greater success in the year ahead.
We wish you a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year!