Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act
This bill expedites payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eligibility for Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer (i.e., breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body).
Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. Under current law, individuals generally must wait 5 months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2048 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2048
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting
periods for disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for
individuals with metastatic breast cancer, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 11, 2025
Mr. Garbarino (for himself, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and
Ms. Chu) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting
periods for disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for
individuals with metastatic breast cancer, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to
Care Act''.
SEC. 2. ELIMINATION OF WAITING PERIOD FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH METASTATIC
BREAST CANCER.
(a) In General.--Section 223(a) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 423(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter following subparagraph
(E), by inserting ``or metastatic breast cancer'' after
``amyotrophic lateral sclerosis''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting ``or (iii)'' after
``clause (ii)''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to applications for disability insurance benefits
filed after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. WAIVER OF 24-MONTH WAITING PERIOD FOR MEDICARE COVERAGE OF
INDIVIDUALS WITH METASTATIC BREAST CANCER.
(a) In General.--Section 226(h) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 426(h)) is amended by inserting ``or metastatic breast cancer''
after ``amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to benefits for months beginning after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
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