SCREENS for Cancer Act

Summary#

This bill would reauthorize and update the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. It makes language changes to emphasize prevention, ensure appropriate follow-up care, and add activities to increase screening — such as patient navigation, evidence-based strategies in health settings, and help accessing screening sites. The bill also adds goals to reduce disparities and improve equitable access, changes some reporting rules to require a report 2 years after enactment and then every 5 years, and requires a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study by September 30, 2027. The bill sets funding of $235,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

What it means for you#

• People who are low-income, uninsured, or underinsured could continue to get breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services through the program.
• The program aims to do more outreach and navigation to help people who are geographically or culturally isolated reach screening services.
• The program covers all 50 States, the District of Columbia, 6 territories, and 13 Tribes or Tribal organizations according to the bill's findings.
• The GAO study will report on how many people are eligible, trends in people served, and barriers to access.

Expenses#

The bill specifies $235,000,000 in funding for each fiscal year 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. No other cost estimates or budget details are included in the provided text.

Proponents' View#

The bill's findings say NBCCEDP has provided millions of screenings and diagnosed many cancers and precancerous conditions since 1991. Proponents say reauthorizing and improving the program will expand services, increase screening, diagnose cancers earlier, reduce disparities, and improve equitable access to care.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.