# What the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act Does

This bill makes it easier for people with metastatic breast cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) to get financial help and health insurance when they need it most. Right now, there are waiting periods built into the system that delay when people can receive these benefits, and this bill eliminates those delays for this specific diagnosis.

Currently, if someone becomes too sick to work and applies for Social Security disability benefits, they typically have to wait five months before those payments start. Additionally, once they qualify for disability, they usually have to wait another 24 months before they become eligible for Medicare coverage. For someone with metastatic breast cancer who is facing expensive medical treatments and can't work, these waiting periods can create serious financial hardship. This bill removes both of those waiting periods specifically for metastatic breast cancer patients, meaning they can start receiving disability payments and Medicare coverage immediately after their application is approved, rather than waiting months for help to arrive.

The bill treats metastatic breast cancer the same way the system already treats amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a similarly serious disease where waiting periods are already waived. The practical effect is that someone diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer who can no longer work won't face months without income or health coverage while they're undergoing treatment. They'll get their disability payments right away and have Medicare to help cover their medical costs from the start, rather than having to find other ways to pay for care during the waiting period.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act

Garbarino, Andrew R.

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.