Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act of 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 8839
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-05-14: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, 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.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T08:06:28Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose The legislation, titled the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act of 2026, seeks to improve health outcomes, quality of life, and long-term care for cancer survivors by addressing unmet needs across the full continuum of care—from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. It emphasizes developing a minimum standard of survivorship care that applies regardless of cancer type, patient background, or specific needs, while promoting coordinated support services.

Key Provisions

Medicare Coverage Enhancements: Adds coverage for cancer care planning and coordination services under the Social Security Act, including treatment plans with components from the Institute of Medicine framework, available at diagnosis, treatment changes, end of active treatment, or recurrence.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Resources: Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene meetings with patient advocates, medical societies, and technology experts to improve care transitions; results in published guidance on survivorship care plans and software tools.
Alternative Payment Model: Directs development of a new payment model under Medicare and Medicaid for survivorship care, covering elements like care plans, navigation services, risk stratification, and coordination between specialists and primary care.
Employment Assistance: Establishes a Department of Labor grant program to support cancer survivors facing work barriers, including financial aid, training, and benefits navigation for those remaining in, leaving, or reentering the workforce.
Supportive Care Grants: Creates a comprehensive program awarding grants to states, cancer centers, and community organizations for services like physical activity, mental health support, nutrition, and screening adherence.
Progress Evaluation: Mandates a Government Accountability Office study and report on survivorship care advancements since the 1971 National Cancer Act, including disparities and system changes.
Medicaid Expansions: Requires coverage for healthcare transitions for childhood and adolescent cancer survivors (based on Children's Oncology Group guidelines) and fertility preservation/treatment services, with storage cost support and prohibitions on cost-sharing; similar rules apply to CHIP.
New Federal Office: Establishes the Office of Cancer Survivorship within the National Cancer Institute to manage research grants, professional education, and survivor resources focused on late effects and care access.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Amends Section 1861 of the Social Security Act to include cancer care planning as a covered Medicare service with specific payment rates tied to transitional care management codes.
Modifies Section 1902(a)(10) and Section 1905 of the Social Security Act to mandate Medicaid coverage for specified survivorship transitions and fertility services, overriding standard comparability rules.
Introduces new grant authorities and an Office of Cancer Survivorship, expanding federal roles beyond current National Cancer Institute functions.
Extends similar fertility coverage requirements to the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Increases administrative and funding responsibilities for the Department of Health and Human Services (including CMS and NCI), Department of Labor, and state Medicaid programs; may require new coordination across agencies.
Citizens: Expands access to planning services, supportive care, employment aid, and fertility options for approximately 18 million current U.S. cancer survivors (projected to reach 26 million by 2040), with emphasis on rural, diverse, and lower-income populations.
International Relations: No provisions address international matters.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Cancer survivors, families, and caregivers.
Healthcare providers (oncologists, primary care, mental health professionals, genetic counselors).
Patient advocacy organizations and community-based groups.
Federal agencies (HHS, CMS, NCI, DOL) and state Medicaid/CHIP programs.
Insurers, electronic health record vendors, and employers.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Expands entitlement program coverage under Medicare and Medicaid, potentially raising federal and state expenditures without specified funding offsets.
Promotes equity-focused standards for underserved groups but does not alter existing constitutional frameworks for healthcare regulation.
Requires evidence-based approaches and public reporting, which may influence future policy debates on survivorship standards.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]

Cosponsors (16)

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]

Recent Actions

2026-05-14: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, 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.
2026-05-14: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, 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.
2026-05-14: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, 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.
2026-05-14: Introduced in House
2026-05-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-14 — PDF (37 pages)