It is rare for more than half of the House of Representatives to agree on legislation, yet 259 bipartisan members have co-sponsored the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act. Despite this strong support, the bill remains stalled in the Ways and Means Committee.

By current law, individuals under 65 diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare. However, cruel and arbitrary waiting periods apply: five months for disability insurance benefits and an additional 24 months before Medicare coverage begins. These delays affect patients with an average life expectancy of just three years, causing many to die while waiting for benefits they have earned through employment taxes.

Fran Visco, president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and a more than 30-year breast cancer survivor, shared her personal experience. Two years ago, 38 years after her initial diagnosis and years after being declared cancer free, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, a condition with no cure. She continues to manage significant treatment side effects and medical challenges while striving to live her life fully.

Visco is also a 2025 recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian award in the United States.

The bill aims to eliminate these waiting periods to provide timely access to care and benefits for metastatic breast cancer patients. Advocates urge Congress to move beyond lip service and pass the legislation to address the urgent needs of these patients.

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