Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act
Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act
Plain Language Summary
# Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act (HR 6178) - Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill aims to make lung cancer screening more accessible and affordable by requiring Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance to cover annual lung cancer screenings without requiring prior approval from insurance companies. It would also expand tobacco cessation programs (counseling and nicotine replacement therapy) to all Medicaid enrollees, not just pregnant women. Additionally, the bill directs the federal government to launch a public awareness campaign about lung cancer screening and conduct research on who gets diagnosed with lung cancer to identify any disparities. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily benefits people eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance who meet the criteria for lung cancer screening.
This includes current and former smokers identified by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force as candidates for screening. It also helps people trying to quit tobacco by expanding access to cessation programs. **Current status:** As of now, the bill remains in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act This bill provides for coverage without prior authorization requirements of annual lung cancer screenings under Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurance for individuals for whom screenings are recommended under U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines. It also expands Medicaid coverage of counseling and pharmacotherapy for cessation of tobacco use to all individuals, rather than only pregnant women. The Department of Health and Human Services must conduct outreach on the importance of lung cancer screenings and who should be screened, and the Government Accountability Office must report on the demographics of those diagnosed with lung cancer and recommend ways the federal government can improve screenings.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.