At a time when bipartisanship feels increasingly rare in Congress, the American people are right to be frustrated. Too often, politics gets in the way of progress. But when there is an opportunity to work across the aisle on legislation that delivers real, tangible benefits for our constituents, we have a responsibility to seize it.
That is exactly what I did in supporting bipartisan legislation to allow Medicare to cover groundbreaking multi-cancer early detection screenings once they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is not about politics. It is about people.
Recently, I met with patient advocacy groups in my district office. They were kind enough to present me with thank-you cards signed by Arizona patients and families, grateful for our support of the Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage legislation.
We held a productive discussion on key healthcare priorities and 2026 legislative efforts, and I reaffirmed my commitment to expanding access to life-saving care for Arizona families. Hearing their stories directly reinforces why we fight for these reforms in Washington. Cancer remains one of the most relentless and devastating threats facing American families. It is the second leading cause of death in the United States, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Yet time and again, we are reminded of a simple truth: early detection saves lives.
For decades, our healthcare system has made tremendous progress in screening for specific cancers like breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer. But the reality is that many of the deadliest cancers still have no routine screening tools available. A significant share of cancer deaths comes from cancers that are typically diagnosed too late, when treatment options are limited, and outcomes are far worse.
Multi-cancer early detection tests, often conducted through a simple blood draw, have the potential to change that. These innovative tools are designed to detect signals from multiple types of cancer in the body before symptoms even appear.
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Think about what that means.
Instead of reacting to cancer, we can get ahead of it. Instead of waiting until it spreads, we can identify it earlier, treat it sooner, and give patients a real fighting chance.
The legislation I supported creates a clear, responsible pathway for Medicare to cover these tests once they meet the gold standard of FDA approval and demonstrate clinical benefit. This is a critical point. We are not cutting corners. We are ensuring that innovation is paired with rigorous scientific validation and an evidence-based review process.
We are also cutting through the red tape that has historically kept life-saving technologies out of reach for seniors. Under the current system, even after a breakthrough technology is approved, it can take years before Medicare provides coverage. This legislation fixes that by creating a defined benefit category so seniors can access these advancements without delay.
And let’s be clear about who this helps most.
Seniors are at the highest risk for cancer. They deserve access to the best tools modern medicine has to offer. This legislation ensures that once these tests are proven safe and effective, they will not be reserved only for those who can afford to pay out of pocket. It levels the playing field and expands access to cutting-edge care.
It also reflects something we need more of in Washington: results. Republicans and Democrats came together because the mission was clear. Save lives. Improve outcomes. Reduce long-term healthcare costs by catching diseases earlier, when they are far less expensive to treat.
Of course, innovation must always be approached responsibly. Experts have raised valid questions about ensuring accuracy and avoiding unnecessary follow-up procedures. That is why FDA approval and proper oversight remain central to this process. We can embrace innovation while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety.
But doing nothing is not an option.
We are standing at the edge of a new era in cancer detection. Science is moving forward. Technology is advancing. And the government has a responsibility to ensure that our policies keep pace.
This legislation does exactly that.
It modernizes Medicare, empowers patients and doctors, and brings us one step closer to a future where cancer is caught earlier, treated more effectively, and survived more often.
That is why I supported it. And it is exactly the kind of commonsense, bipartisan leadership the American people deserve more of.
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