Bacon, Slotkin, Britt, DeLauro Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Modernize Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Care

This press release from Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) was published on 2026-09-29 and titled "Bacon, Slotkin, Britt, DeLauro Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Modernize Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Ca".

Bacon, Slotkin, Britt, DeLauro Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Modernize Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Care

Bacon, Slotkin, Britt, DeLauro Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Modernize Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Care WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) along with Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced the Ovarian Cancer Improving and Modernizing Prevention, Access, Care, and Testing (IMPACT) Act , bipartisan, bicameral legislation to expand access to genetic testing, hereditary cancer risk assessment, and specialty care for patients and families affected by ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States, and roughly 80 percent of cases are detected only after the disease has reached an advanced stage. If caught early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 90 percent. However, there remains no reliable screening test for the disease. This means that genetic counseling, hereditary risk assessment, and provider awareness are critical tools for prevention and early detection. “Ovarian cancer affects thousands of women and families every year, including some of my closest friends, and too many cases are not caught until the disease has reached an advanced stage,” said Rep. Bacon. “Knowing the warning signs and having access to genetic counseling, testing and quality care can make a real difference. I’m pleased to join my colleagues on the bipartisan, bicameral Ovarian Cancer IMPACT Act to improve awareness, expand access to specialized care, including in rural communities, and help more women get the care they need sooner.” “I am a survivor of ovarian cancer by the grace of God and biomedical research,” said Rep. DeLauro. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues in introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would strengthen ovarian cancer research, medical services, and outreach to women to ensure screening and good health. This Ovarian Cancer Month, I am committed to fighting for improved health outcomes for all women, so more and more women survive this deadly disease.” “No family should have to fight both a cancer diagnosis and their insurance company at the same time,” said Sen. Slotkin. “Women, especially in rural communities like Michigan, should be able to get the genetic testing and specialty care they need to catch this disease early or prevent it altogether. Our bill tackles this issue from every angle — awareness, outreach and access to care and testing — and I thank my colleagues from across the aisle as we all work to save lives.” “Too many women receive an ovarian cancer diagnosis only after the disease has advanced, when treatment options are limited and outcomes are far worse,” said Sen. Britt . “Knowledge is one of the most powerful tools we have, and every woman with a family history of ovarian cancer deserves to know her risk and have access to the screening and counseling that can help her make informed decisions about her health. I’m proud to join Senator Slotkin in this bipartisan effort to reauthorize Johanna’s Law, expand outreach to rural and underserved communities, and ensure genetic screening is covered for the women who need it most. Alabama has already shown national leadership in preventing gynecologic cancers, and this legislation builds on that progress so that where a woman lives or what her insurance plan covers doesn’t determine whether she can catch this disease early.” The Ovarian Cancer IMPACT Act would: Expand Insurance Coverage for Genetic and Genomic Testing: Require group and individual health plans, including grandfathered plans, to cover genetic counseling and testing (germline multi-gene panel testing, targeted testing, and tumor genomic profiling) for patients with a history of ovarian cancer, guideline-eligible endometrial cancer, or a family history of hereditary cancer syndromes. Cover Risk-Reducing Interventions: Ensure coverage for evidence-based risk-reducing surgeries and other risk management interventions for individuals identified as being at elevated hereditary risk, regardless of a personal cancer history. Reauthorize and Strengthen Johanna’s Law: Reauthorize the CDC’s national gynecologic cancer education campaign and authorize $20 million annually from FY2027–FY2031 to expand education and outreach on hereditary cancer risk, genetic counseling and testing, and evidence-based ovarian cancer prevention, including opportunistic salpingectomy, or fallopian tube removal. Expand Rural and Telehealth Access: Expands existing HRSA programs to include ovarian cancer and helps rural providers access ovarian cancer training and specialty expertise. Fund Demonstration Projects: Prioritize grants for outreach and education strategies in rural, underserved, and high-risk communities. Ensure Accountability: Require HHS to deliver an implementation roadmap to Congress within 180 days of enactment and comprehensive impact reports every three years through FY2032. The bill is introduced alongside a companion resolution to recog