WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), has joined a bipartisan coalition of 294 lawmakers in cosponsoring H.R. 842, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. The bill seeks to expand Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests beginning in 2028, pending review by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The legislation honors Nancy Gardner Sewell, late mother of Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2021. The bipartisan measure creates a framework for CMS to evaluate and cover MCED tests, with safeguards to ensure decisions are guided by evidence. Coverage would be phased in gradually, starting with Medicare patients aged 68 in 2028 and increasing by one year annually.

“South Texas seniors deserve access to innovative cancer screenings,” said Congressman Cuellar. “The Nancy Gardner Sewell Act is a strong, bipartisan, and practical step to expand Medicare coverage for potentially life-saving cancer detection tests. By helping seniors get screened earlier, we can reduce late-stage diagnoses, improve outcomes, and lower long-term costs.”

Currently, routine screening is limited to only a handful of cancers, leaving older Americans vulnerable to late detection. MCED tests, which require only a simple blood draw, could expand early screening access—especially in rural South Texas communities where medical resources are more limited.

“Cancer touches every family, and better screening means better odds,” Cuellar added. “By establishing clear rules for Medicare coverage, we give patients and providers certainty while safeguarding the program’s integrity. I’ll keep working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure seniors in South Texas and across the country have access to lifesaving innovations in cancer detection.”