Over the last several months, NSGC advocates and lobbyists have been hard at work increasing congressional support for the “Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act.” We continue to add cosponsors, which is our key focus – H.R. 2144 (House bill) now has over 30 and S. 1450 (Senate bill) has four. We also have surpassed 300 organizations that support our effort. This is a significant number that grabs the attention of congressional offices.
Since July, we have been working on a House legislative package that was being put together by Chairwoman DeGette (CO-D) and Representative Upton (MI-R). The discussion draft, known as CURES 2.0, included Section 408, Medicare Coverage for Precision Medicine Consultations, which would have authorized Doctors of Pharmacy to provide pharmacogenetic consults to Medicare beneficiaries. Our effort informed the staff of Chairwoman DeGette and Rep. Upton of genetic counselors’ critical role in realizing the benefits of precision medicine and encouraged the lawmakers to add genetic counselors to the Medicare program under this section of the discussion draft.
NSGC’s Advocacy Coordinating Committee (ACC) also helped deliver support from these legislators’ Congressional districts through letters from genetic counselors, patient advocacy organizations, provider groups and hospitals. National organizations such as the Personalized Medicine Coalition also submitted impactful comments that requested the addition of genetic counselors.
H.R. 6000, the “CURES 2.0 Act,” was introduced in the House just prior to Thanksgiving. This version renamed Section 408 to “Medicare Coverage for Consultations,” which authorizes pharmacogenetic consults for Medicare beneficiaries by genetic counselors or Doctors of Pharmacy. This is a significant step forward. Many members of Congress want to improve genetic services delivery models, and adding genetic counselors to section 408 is an indication of that intention. While pharmacogenetic consults do not represent a large part of what genetic counselors are currently providing, and Section 408 does not include cancer, pediatric, cardiology, neurology and other types of genetic counseling, it is a start. We are included in the bill and now have additional time to expand this provision to include the critical services genetic counselors provide to the Medicare population. Inclusion in the Cures 2.0 Act shows that lawmakers recognize the value of genetic counselors, which is critical in our efforts to obtain Medicare provider status.
We will be busy over the first half of 2022. With CURES 2.0 introduced, more members of Congress and congressional committees will have opportunities to put their mark on the bill. We are now expanding our focus from Chairwoman DeGette and Rep. Upton to more than 80 members of Congress. The ACC will be working hard to activate the NSGC membership, so it is critical that you answer their call to action when they reach out to you. With your help, Medicare reimbursement and better patient access to your services can be realized in 2022. Your efforts to date have made a significant difference and have helped us develop a strong and clear voice on the Hill. We can only take these next steps with your help. Please answer our call to action when you are contacted.
NSGC Headquarters promotes the professional interests of genetic counselors and provides a network for professional communications. Access to continuing education opportunities, professional resources, advocacy and the discussion of all issues relevant to human genetics and the genetic counseling profession are an integral part of belonging to the NSGC.