The AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report was just released in June 2026! This new report highlights the need to advance policies to expand access to genetic testing, which is important in achieving health equity (see pages 202 and 207 of report for more details). In particular, they reviewed HR.4752/S.2760: Reducing Hereditary Cancers Act and explained the importance of this proposed bill. The purpose of this bill (which has bipartisan support) is to expand Medicare coverage for genetic counseling and testing, as well as screening for those without cancer but with family history or known hereditary mutations
It is important to recognize that Medicare covers genetic testing only AFTER a cancer diagnosis, which leaves millions of Americans unable to act on inherited cancer risk until it is too late (and they already have cancer). This bill would fix this gap coverage for Medicare patients, so those without cancer would have the following paid for:
- Genetic testing in those eligible (because of family cancer history or a known mutation in the family)
- Recommended screening or prevention for cancer (in those with inherited cancer gene mutations)
Read the report at: https://cancerprogressreport.aacr.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/AACR_CDPR_2026.pdf