Prevent Cancer Foundation celebrates landmark passage of MCED Screening Coverage Act

Feb 3, 2026

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کایرا مایستر
703-836-1746
kyra.meister@preventcancer.org

Alexandria, Va. – In a historic moment for cancer prevention and early detection, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act/Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act was signed into law today, February 3, 2026. The law passed through both chambers of Congress earlier this week as part of a bipartisan spending package that is funding multiple federal agencies through the remainder of FY 2026, including Labor, Health and Human Services (LLHS).

The MCED Screening Coverage Act, which has the potential to transform cancer screening and detection, has been championed by Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), along with Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

MCED tests are an innovative tool that can modernize cancer screening through the detection of more cancers in earlier, more treatable stages. The passage of the MCED Screening Coverage Act enables the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) to determine coverage of MCED tests once those tests are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“With the signing of the MCED Screening Coverage Act, we are opening the door to a new era in how cancer is detected and ultimately prevented,” said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “This law aligns our health care system with the pace of scientific innovation and brings us one step closer to a future where more cancers are found earlier—when treatment is more effective and lives can be saved.”

Today, routine screening is available for only five types of cancer, which leaves the vast majority of cancers without available screening tests. Finding cancer early, before it has spread to other parts of the body, increases the likelihood treatment will be successful, lowers the cost of treatment and improves quality of life for patients and their caregivers.

Over the last five years, the Prevent Cancer Foundation has proudly led more than 550 advocacy organizations to support the MCED Screening Coverage Act, reflecting widespread recognition of the urgent need for Medicare to have the ability to adopt innovative cancer detection technologies.

“Breaking barriers in cancer prevention and early detection is a collective effort,” said Caitlin Kubler, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “We are proud to have played a role in moving this legislation forward and are even prouder to have done it alongside partners who have never wavered in their commitment to ensuring better health outcomes for all.”

In addition to the passage of the MCED Screening Coverage Act, the LHHS funding package includes several key investments in cancer research and prevention. The bill allocates $47.216 billion for the National Institutes of Health, a $415 million increase over FY2025, which includes a $128 million increase for the National Cancer Institute that brings NCI’s total funding to $7.352 billion. Funding for Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA‑H) remains level at $1.5 billion, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cancer programs are receiving an additional $3 million, further strengthening federal efforts to advance cancer prevention, early detection and research.

For more information on MCED and what this legislation means for Medicare beneficiaries, visit preventcancer.org/early.

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درباره بنیاد پیشگیری از سرطان^®

بنیاد پیشگیری از سرطان^® is the only U.S.-based nonprofit organization solely dedicated to cancer prevention and early detection. Through research, education, outreach and advocacy, we have helped countless people avoid a cancer diagnosis or detect their cancer early enough to be successfully treated. We are driven by a vision of a world where cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable for all.

این بنیاد در حال افزایش است تا با چالش کاهش مرگ و میر ناشی از سرطان تا 40% تا سال 2035 مقابله کند. برای دستیابی به این هدف، ما متعهد به سرمایه گذاری $20 میلیون برای فناوری های نوآورانه برای تشخیص زودهنگام سرطان و پیشبرد غربالگری چند سرطانی، $10 میلیون برای گسترش غربالگری سرطان و واکسیناسیون هستیم. دسترسی به جوامع محروم از نظر پزشکی و $10 میلیون برای آموزش مردم در مورد گزینه های غربالگری و واکسیناسیون.

برای اطلاعات بیشتر لطفا مراجعه کنید به www.preventcancer.org.

The bipartisan MCED Screening Coverage Act has been signed into law!