Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2048
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Social Welfare
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-11: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T08:08:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R. 2048) aims to provide faster access to federal disability and health benefits for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer—a stage where the cancer has spread beyond the breast—by removing mandatory waiting periods that currently delay eligibility.
Key Provisions
- Elimination of Disability Benefits Waiting Period: Amends Section 223(a) of the Social Security Act to exempt individuals with metastatic breast cancer from the standard five-month waiting period for disability insurance benefits (monthly payments for those unable to work due to a severe disability). This treatment mirrors the exemption already in place for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease).
- Waiver of Medicare Waiting Period: Amends Section 226(h) of the Social Security Act to waive the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage (a federal health insurance program primarily for people with disabilities or those over 65) for individuals with metastatic breast cancer, again aligning it with the ALS exemption.
- Effective Dates:
- Disability benefits changes apply to applications filed after the bill's enactment.
- Medicare coverage changes apply to benefits starting in months after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under current law, most people with disabilities must wait five months after becoming disabled to receive Social Security disability insurance benefits, and an additional 24 months (from the disability onset) to qualify for Medicare.
- This bill introduces a targeted exception for metastatic breast cancer, making it the second condition (after ALS) exempt from both waiting periods, thereby accelerating benefit access without altering rules for other disabilities.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Individuals with metastatic breast cancer could receive financial support and health coverage sooner, potentially easing economic strain, enabling earlier treatment, and improving quality of life during a critical health phase. Families may also benefit indirectly through reduced caregiving burdens.
- On Government Agencies: The Social Security Administration (which handles disability benefits) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (which administers Medicare) would process claims more quickly for this group, possibly leading to higher initial program costs due to earlier payouts but promoting preventive care that could lower long-term healthcare expenses.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic social welfare programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary Beneficiaries: People diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and their immediate families, who gain expedited access to benefits.
- Healthcare Providers: Doctors and hospitals may see improved patient outcomes through timelier Medicare-funded treatments.
- Government Entities: Social Security Administration and Medicare programs, which must implement the changes and adjust administrative processes.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on breast cancer awareness and patient rights, such as those representing survivors or rare disease communities, who may support or monitor enforcement.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The amendments are straightforward updates to the Social Security Act, likely facing minimal legal challenges as they expand existing exemptions without creating new entitlements. They ensure equal treatment for metastatic breast cancer under disability rules, potentially setting a precedent for future condition-specific waivers.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the government's authority to regulate social welfare programs under the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution; no apparent conflicts with equal protection principles, as the exemption addresses a life-threatening condition's urgency.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan sponsorship (introduced by Republicans and Democrats), highlighting cross-party consensus on health access issues. It could influence broader debates on disability benefit reforms, emphasizing targeted relief for severe illnesses amid rising healthcare costs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]
Cosponsors (256)
Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2] and 206 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-11: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2025-03-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act — issued 2025-03-11 — PDF (2 pages)