Led by IMF Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Danielle Doheny, the Coalition to Improve Access to Cancer Care (CIACC) applauds the reintroduction of the bipartisan bill.

 

WASHINGTON D.C. — On Tuesday, June 24, a group of bipartisan lawmakers —including Representatives Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Joe Morelle (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) — reintroduced the Cancer Drug Parity Act.

 

The bill aims to make cancer treatment more affordable by requiring insurance companies to cover oral cancer medications the same way they cover traditional IV treatments, according to a press release on Rep. Grothman's website.

Every year, over two million Americans are diagnosed with cancer. Oral cancer drugs—whether taken at home instead of in a hospital—are a more convenient and less invasive option. But they are often more expensive for patients because insurance companies treat them differently than IV chemotherapy. 

Oral drugs are usually covered under prescription plans, while IV drugs are covered under medical benefits, leading to big cost differences. In some cases, patients have had to pay over $2,000 just for their first prescription.

To fix this problem, 43 states and Washington, D.C. have already passed laws requiring equal coverage for both types of treatments. However, these state laws don’t apply to people with federally regulated health insurance.

The Cancer Drug Parity Act would close that gap by:

• Expanding equal coverage to patients with federally regulated private insurance.
• Preventing insurance companies from charging more for oral drugs than for IV chemo.
• Requiring these changes only for health plans that already cover both treatment types.

This renewed effort would make cancer treatment fairer and more affordable for all patients, no matter how their medicine is delivered.

 

Coalition to Improve Access to Cancer Care applauds reintroduction of bipartisan legislation

The Coalition to Improve Access to Cancer Care (CIACC) welcomes the reintroduction of the Cancer Drug Parity Act.

The bipartisan bill would require group and individual health insurance plans to cover oral and self-administered anticancer medications on terms no less favorable than those for IV, injected, or port-administered treatments. This legislation seeks to end outdated insurance policies that often make self-administered cancer therapies more costly for patients—even when they are the most effective or only treatment option available.

Danielle Doheny, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the International Myeloma Foundation, leads the Coalition to Improve Access to Cancer Care (CIACC).

“Cancer treatment should be guided by what works medically, not by outdated insurance policies. Too often, patients face higher costs simply because their most effective treatment comes in a pill rather than through an IV. The Cancer Drug Parity Act addresses this unfair disparity by ensuring consistent insurance coverage for all cancer treatments. This legislation will reduce financial burdens and help patients access the care they need without unnecessary barriers. We are proud to support this important step toward more reliable and fair treatment access for every patient,” said Danielle.

The CIACC is urging Congress to swiftly pass the Cancer Drug Parity Act. This legislation aims to eliminate financial barriers to treatment, foster innovation in cancer care, and ensure insurance coverage reflects modern approaches to cancer therapy.

To know more about the reintroduction of the Cancer Drug Parity Act, read the full CIACC press release.