DALLAS – A new bill taking effect on Sept. 1 will expand lifesaving biomarker testing in Texas, helping connect cancer patients with new therapies that are more targeted and effective, especially in cases of advanced disease. Texas Oncology joined with other leading cancer care advocacy groups to encourage passage of Senate Bill 989, which was signed into law on May 30 and requires health insurance companies to cover biomarker testing. Texas is the 11th state to expand access to biomarker testing.
Biomarker testing is the cornerstone of applying innovative precision medicine to oncology care. To help advance the use of this breakthrough treatment, Texas Oncology implemented an internal policy last year requiring that all late-stage tumors undergo biomarker testing. With more than 2,000 biomarker tests performed each month, the practice uses leading-edge clinical software solutions to identify drugs that have been proven to effectively treat tumors bearing specific genetic markers.
“Texas Oncology is at the forefront of applying highly customized precision medicine to oncology care, which matches patients with therapies that target specific mutations causing cancer,” said Steven Paulson, M.D., president and CEO of Texas Oncology. “The law removes a major barrier for patients, who previously had to cover the cost of these critical tests out of pocket.”
As a pioneer in community-based cancer care, Texas Oncology is committed to providing access to high-quality leading-edge care close to home, with less overall disruption to patients’ lives. The biomarker bill is an example of the practice’s commitment to not only delivering care but advocating on behalf of patients for expanded access to innovative, effective treatment.
Sucharu “Chris” Prakash, M.D., medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Paris, director of quality services for Texas Oncology, and current president of the Texas Society of Clinical Oncology, spearheaded efforts to ensure the bill’s passage by meeting with Texas legislators and providing testimony in support of the bill.
“Statistics show that less than half of eligible patients receive biomarker testing, and the passage of this bill paves the way for Texas Oncology to achieve its goal of testing 100% percent of our patients,” said Dr. Prakash. “It will increase patient access to leading-edge cancer therapies and clinical trials across Texas, including those living in rural communities.”
“Ultimately, testing biomarkers during the diagnosis and treatment planning phase can help physicians and their patients navigate to potentially more effective and less costly care overall,” said Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, oncologist and breast cancer specialist at Texas Oncology–Austin Central and executive vice president for public policy, payer relations, and strategic initiatives at Texas Oncology.
Precision cancer medicines can be used both instead of and in addition to other treatment modalities. Texas Oncology physicians recommend that newly diagnosed patients discuss biomarker testing with their doctor.