H.R.1406 - Lung Cancer Screening and Prevention Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1406, the Lung Cancer Screening and Prevention Act of 2025, aims to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to broaden Medicare coverage for lung cancer screening tests. The bill allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to cover additional lung cancer screening tests approved by the FDA as preventive services. This expansion is intended to improve early detection and treatment of lung cancer among Medicare beneficiaries.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely lead to increased utilization of lung cancer screening tests among Medicare recipients. This could result in earlier detection of lung cancer, potentially improving treatment outcomes and survival rates. The Secretary's discretion in determining appropriate individuals and frequency of screening will shape the actual impact.
Potential Benefits
- Increased early detection of lung cancer, leading to better treatment outcomes.
- Expanded access to preventive healthcare services for Medicare beneficiaries.
- Potential reduction in healthcare costs associated with late-stage lung cancer treatment.
- Encouragement of innovation in lung cancer screening technologies.
- Improved public health by addressing a leading cause of cancer deaths.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in Medicare costs due to expanded coverage.
- Risk of over-screening and false positives, leading to unnecessary anxiety and follow-up procedures.
- Administrative burden on healthcare providers and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement the new coverage guidelines.
- Possibility of unequal access to screening based on geographic location or socioeconomic status.
- Uncertainty regarding the long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of new screening technologies.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve public health by expanding access to preventive healthcare services. Specifically, the preamble states the Constitution is intended to "promote the general Welfare". Congress has the power to legislate on matters related to healthcare under its enumerated powers, particularly the power to tax and spend for the general welfare. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).