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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Senate Bill Would End Medicare, Disability Waiting Periods for Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients

Also known as: Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impacts

Positive Impacts(5)
Medicare
Helps
Social Security
Helps
Disability Benefits
Helps
Chronic Illness
Helps
Child Tax Credit
Helps

Key Points

  • Ends the usual waiting period for Social Security disability benefits for people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
  • Waives the usual 24-month wait for Medicare coverage for people with metastatic breast cancer.
  • This could help patients get income support and health coverage sooner, when treatment needs are urgent.
  • The changes would apply to new disability applications filed after the law is enacted.
  • Medicare changes would start for months after the law is enacted, speeding up coverage for eligible patients.
HealthcareMedicare MedicaidSocial Security

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 11, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Dec 11, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Immediately after enactment, for SSDI applications filed after enactment

After the Act is enacted, new SSDI applications from people with metastatic breast cancer would not face the usual SSDI waiting period.

Eligible people who can’t work could start receiving disability checks sooner, helping pay for basics like rent, groceries, and utilities during treatment.

The first month after enactment (benefits for months beginning after enactment)

After the Act is enacted, Medicare’s 24-month waiting period tied to disability would be waived for metastatic breast cancer for months beginning after enactment.

Eligible people could get Medicare coverage much faster instead of waiting two years, improving access to cancer care and lowering out-of-pocket costs.

Within weeks to a few months after enactment

Social Security and Medicare systems would update rules, forms, and training to apply the new metastatic breast cancer exception.

People should see fewer denials based on waiting periods, but there may be a short adjustment period while agencies implement the change.

Related News

2 articles
WXXI News·4 months ago

Advocates say a New York congresswoman is blocking care for people with incurable breast cancer

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act would waive the five-month waiting period for SSDI and the 24-month delay for Medicare. Advocates argue patients cannot afford to wait for a disease with an average survival of two to four years, but some lawmakers have resisted the bill.

CL~
The Hill·almost 3 years ago

The government must act now to improve the lives of people with terminal breast cancer

This piece argues for the passage of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act to waive the 5-month and 24-month waiting periods for SSDI and Medicare, ensuring terminal patients receive the benefits they earned before they succumb to the disease.

C+

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act

Bill NumberS 3442
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(3)
D: 1R: 2

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.