Keep Up the Pressure to Pass

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act

"It is time for Congress to finish the job. We urge our colleagues to move this legislation forward and send it to the President’s desk.

Every day of delay means more patients are forced to wait for benefits they have earned and desperately need."

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor & Rep. Andrew Garbarino, House of Representatives lead sponsors of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act, from their powerful op-ed urging their colleagues to pass this bill now.

Thank you to all who contacted their legislators last week during the "Day of Action" for the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R. 2048). You joined advocates from across the country who did the same and helped bolster those who went to Capitol Hill in person that day to demand movement on this bill. As a result of this hard work, the bill gained 5 more co-sponsors and gained visibility with key members of the the Ways and Means Committee where it sits awaiting action.

We are disappointed that Congress has still not acted. We will continue to keep up the pressure. You can help us by continuing to make calls to the following offices to reinforce the urgency of this legislation and the need for Congress to act.

CONTINUED ACTION NEEDED!

Call the Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO)

(202) 225-3625:

"My name is [NAME], and I'm a breast cancer advocate. I urge Chairman Smith to bring the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R. 2048) to the committee for markup. Two-thirds of the committee members cosponsor this bill and it has wide bipartisan support. Patients are dying while waiting for benefits they qualify for."

Call House Lead Sponsor Rep. Garbarino (R-NY)

202-225-7896:

"I‘m calling to thank Mr. Garbarino for his leadership on the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to  Care Act - HR 2048. We need him to work with his colleagues to have the bill marked up in the  Ways & Means Committee NOW. Women dying of breast cancer cannot afford to wait for care!"

Call Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), Member of the Ways & Means Committee

(202) 225-4376:

"I‘m calling to thank Mr. Beyer for his support of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to  Care Act - HR 2048. We need him to work with his colleagues to have the bill marked up in the  Ways & Means Committee NOW. Women dying of breast cancer cannot afford to wait for care!"

Background:

Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R.2048)

• Patients living with metastatic breast cancer face onerous waiting periods for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)- 5 months) and Medicare (2 years) despite having an incurable, life-limiting diagnosis and qualifying for these benefits.
• Women are dying while still waiting for the benefits they have earned through years of work.
• H.R. 2048 would remove these waiting periods and allow metastatic breast cancer patients to access their benefits for critical health care sooner and lessen their financial burden.
• Despite overwhelming bipartisan support (255 co-sponsors as of 6/30/26)), the bill has yet to receive a vote in Congress.

Questions? kirsta@vbcf.org