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H.R. 2381: Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services for Cancer Act of 2025

The **Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services for Cancer Act of 2025** aims to enhance and extend the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) for five additional fiscal years, from 2026 to 2030. This program's purpose is to provide critical cancer screening and diagnostic services to low-income women who are uninsured or underinsured, particularly emphasizing outreach to those who might be geographically or culturally isolated.

Key Provisions of the Bill

The bill includes several significant changes and enhancements to the existing program:

**Reauthorization and Funding:** The bill reauthorizes funding for the NBCCEDP, providing a total of $235 million for the fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support its operations.
**Screening and Diagnostic Services:** It ensures that appropriate breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services are provided, aligning with established evidence-based recommendations.
**Follow-up Services:** The bill emphasizes that adequate follow-up services must be provided to support individuals diagnosed through the program.
**Focus on Prevention and Control:** Amendments expand the program’s focus to include not just detection but also prevention and control of breast and cervical cancer.
**Evidence-Based Strategies:** The program is encouraged to implement evidence-based or evidence-informed strategies to increase screening rates in healthcare settings.
**Reducing Disparities:** It aims to reduce disparities in breast and cervical cancer incidences and mortality rates among populations that have higher-than-average rates.
**Improving Access:** The legislation seeks to enhance equitable access to screening services and reduce barriers that hinder individuals from receiving care, especially those related to negative health outcomes.
**Reporting Requirements:** By September 30, 2027, a report will be generated assessing the NBCCEDP’s effectiveness, including an estimate of eligible individuals, service trends, and existing barriers to access.

Impact on Population

This act aims to increase the number of individuals screened for breast and cervical cancer and, as a consequence, lead to earlier diagnoses, which can be crucial for effective treatment. The program has historically served millions and aims to continue to broaden its reach, particularly toward demographics that may struggle to access necessary healthcare services.

Current and Historical Context

As of 2025, notable statistics reflect the need for such a program: there are projected to be over 319,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and approximately 43,000 deaths from the disease in the U.S. Similarly, around 13,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer are expected, with nearly 4,300 projected deaths. The NBCCEDP has previously facilitated over 16 million screenings, helping to identify thousands of cancer cases.

Legislative Progress

The bill was introduced to the House of Representatives on March 26, 2025, by Mr. Morelle and co-sponsored by Mr. Fitzpatrick. Following its introduction, it was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce for further consideration.