President Donald Trump has signed H.R. 7148 into law, a legislative package that includes the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, championed by House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19). The new law aims to provide Medicare beneficiaries with access to multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests once they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The bill was co-led by Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) and received broad bipartisan support in Congress, with backing from over 338 House cosponsors, 60 Senate cosponsors, and more than 500 organizations nationwide. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott also publicly supported the legislation.
“I, alongside my colleague Rep. Terri Sewell, are incredibly proud to announce President Trump has signed into law our bipartisan Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act,” said Chairman Arrington. “This critical law will give seniors access to groundbreaking innovation that will transform the way we treat, diagnose, and prevent cancer. With over 338 House cosponsors, 60 Senate cosponsors, 500 supporting organizations, and even Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, together, we are unleashing the power of early detection and saving millions of lives.”
“It’s official! On this World Cancer Day, I’m excited to announce that the Nancy Gardner Sewell Multi-Cancer Early Detection Act has been signed into law,” said Rep. Sewell. “I join millions of Americans in celebrating this historic victory which will help transform the way we detect, diagnose, and treat cancer for seniors all across America. We did it, Mommy.”
The legislation is named after Rep. Sewell’s mother who died from pancreatic cancer in 2021.
In a notable example cited by supporters of MCED screening technology, Dallas Cowboys Vice President of Communications Tad Carper’s cancer was detected at an early stage following team-wide screening funded by Dak Prescott in 2023. Carper credited the screening with saving his life: “This is critical for so many across our nation. A true game-changing life-saver. I was lucky enough to benefit from the access Dak provided. It shouldn’t need to come to that though… I applaud the efforts currently being made to save lives and the work being done by leaders like Representative Arrington and others to focus on what is needed.”
Prescott’s advocacy for MCED screening stems from personal experience; his mother died from colon cancer that was not diagnosed until it had reached stage four. “If early detection was easy and available, my mother and so many others would still be alive,” said Dak Prescott.
Jody Hoyos of the Prevent Cancer Foundation commented on the significance of this policy shift: “With the signing of the MCED Screening Coverage Act, we are opening the door to a new era in how cancer is detected and ultimately prevented… brings us one step closer to a future where more cancers are found earlier—when treatment is more effective and lives can be saved.”
Shane Jacobson of ACS CAN stated: “ACS CAN is grateful that Congress worked together to bring these cancer-fighting provisions across the finish line… Their voices, persistence and commitment were essential.”
Kevin Conroy of Exact Sciences added: “It’s a historic day in the fight against cancer… Most importantly we are thrilled for countless individuals whose lives will be impacted by these tests.”
Supporters include over 550 advocacy organizations such as Cancer Support Community (CSC), GO2 for Lung Cancer, National Grange—which noted its importance for rural communities—and several medical groups.
The act creates authority for CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) to cover blood-based MCED tests once approved by FDA; maintains evidence-based review processes; clarifies that new tools complement existing screenings without impacting cost sharing; and aims specifically at improving outcomes among seniors—a group accounting for over 70% of U.S. cancer diagnoses due largely to age-related risk factors.
Jodey Arrington continues serving as U.S. Representative for Texas’ 19th district since replacing Randy Neugebauer in 2017.
