Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise in observance of today, November 20, as World Pancreatic Cancer Day.

It is a time to shine light on the devastating impact of this disease and dedicate ourselves to improving prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and is on track to becoming the second by 2030. Over 67,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with pancreatic cancer.

Like so many Americans, I know all too well the terrible impact of this disease. In 2021, I lost my dear mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell, to pancreatic cancer.

By the time we caught it, the cancer had already spread. She passed away just 8 weeks after her diagnosis. In an effort to turn my pain into purpose, I have committed myself to doing everything I can to prevent other families from enduring such a painful loss.

Along with my friend Congressman Jodey Arrington, I am proud to be leading H.R. 842. In the 118th Congress, Congressman Arrington introduced our bill and surprised me by renaming it after my mother, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Act.

Our bill would create a pathway for Medicare to cover multiple cancer early detection tests. Medicare will cover that by making sure that once it is approved by the FDA, it immediately becomes available to Medicare patients. This is so important because the promise of screening for more than 40 cancers lies with a simple blood test.

If passed, it will give our seniors their best shot at catching cancer early and treating it before it spreads. Just 2 months ago, our bill passed unanimously out of the House Ways and Means Committee. It enjoys overwhelmingly bipartisan support with 332 House cosponsors and 67 Senate cosponsors.

Later today, I look forward to convening lawmakers, researchers, advocates, and families for a roundtable on the latest developments in prevention, early detection, and treatment. I thank the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the American Cancer Society, and all of the more than 500 stakeholders for all of their efforts. I am so grateful for the tireless work of our cancer advocates. Without them, this bill would not enjoy such broad bipartisan support.

As we wear purple today in honor of World Pancreatic Cancer Day, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 842, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Multi-Cancer Early Detection Act.

Mr. Speaker, let's get this bill across the finish line and pave the way for the world without pancreatic cancer.

National Rural Health Day

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize today as National Rural Health Day.

As the daughter of Alabama's rural Black Belt, I know firsthand the challenges that our rural communities face when it comes to accessing quality, affordable healthcare.

For too many patients in rural America, getting seen by a doctor requires driving miles to the nearest hospital or health center. Broken payment systems and workforce challenges have put an enormous strain on our healthcare system.

In Congress, I am proud to be leading legislation that will tackle these challenges. Our Graduate Medical Education bill will add thousands of residency slots, creating a pipeline of qualified health professionals to serve patients in rural America.

Our Save America's Rural Hospitals Act takes important steps to ensure that rural hospitals are fairly reimbursed for their services. The Home Health Stabilization Act will allow more seniors to receive the care that they need in the comfort of their own homes.

I am also working hard to expand access to telehealth services, mental health, and substance use programs, and support our rural ambulance providers. It is so important that our rural ambulance providers know the importance that they have in rural America.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to healthcare, our rural communities are on life support. Republicans' so-called big, beautiful bill makes the largest cut to healthcare in American history. Despite the dysfunction in Washington, we in Alabama are fortunate to have amazing partners standing in the gap.

Just last month, I was thrilled to attend the groundbreaking of the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences in Demopolis, Alabama. This new state-

supported residential high school is located in the heart of Alabama's Black Belt, where it will cultivate the next generation of healthcare professionals.

I believe that access to quality, affordable healthcare should be a right for all Americans and not just for the few. As we observe National Rural Health Day, let us recommit ourselves to ensuring that every American, regardless of their ZIP Code, gets the care that they need and that they deserve.

Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and resolutions, as follows:

H.R. 116: Ms. Boebert.

H.R. 151: Ms. Van Duyne.

H.R. 255: Mr. Gill of Texas, Mr. Self, and Ms. Crockett.

H.R. 404: Mr. Wied.

H.R. 429: Mr. Suozzi.

H.R. 479: Ms. Boebert.

H.R. 556: Mr. Wied.

H.R. 574: Mr. Van Drew, Mrs. Miller-Meeks, Mr. Stauber, and

Mr. Fitzpatrick.

H.R. 628: Ms. Davids of Kansas.

H.R. 659: Mr. Soto, Mrs. Ramirez, and Mr. Garcia of

California.

H.R. 740: Ms. Malliotakis and Mr. Kustoff.

H.R. 802: Ms. Bonamici.

H.R. 833: Mr. Hamadeh of Arizona, Mr. Moran, Mr. Barr, and

Mr. Burlison.

H.R. 842: Mr. Kiley of California and Ms. Stansbury.

H.R. 909: Mr. Subramanyam and Ms. Schakowsky.

H.R. 914: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 942: Mr. Bresnahan and Ms. Davids of Kansas.

H.R. 956: Mr. Biggs of Arizona.

H.R. 1004: Ms. Elfreth and Ms. Kelly of Illinois.

H.R. 1024: Mr. Moran.

H.R. 1041: Mr. Ezell, Mr. Hurd of Colorado, Mr. Cline, and

Ms. De La Cruz.

H.R. 1086: Mrs. Miller-Meeks.

H.R. 1106: Mr. Himes.

H.R. 1151: Mr. Rose.

H.R. 1181: Ms. Fedorchak.

H.R. 1232: Mr. James and Mr. Pfluger.

H.R. 1241: Ms. Boebert.

H.R. 1262: Mrs. Hinson and Mr. Garamendi.

H.R. 1286: Mrs. Fischbach.

H.R. 1329: Mr. Burchett and Mr. McCaul.

H.R. 1330: Mr. Suozzi.

H.R. 1357: Mr. Morelle.

H.R. 1378: Mr. Rogers of Kentucky and Mr. Garbarino.

H.R. 1400: Ms. Perez.

H.R. 1415: Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Weber of Texas.

H.R. 1505: Mr. Min.

H.R. 1509: Ms. Houlahan, Mr. Carbajal, Ms. Lee of Florida,

and Mr. Fry.

H.R. 1521: Mr. Harder of California.

H.R. 1539: Mr. Bilirakis.

H.R. 1636: Mr. Thompson of Mississippi.

H.R. 1659: Ms. Budzinski.

H.R. 1676: Mr. Haridopolos.

H.R. 1682: Mr. James.

H.R. 1695: Mr. Rutherford.

H.R. 1709: Mr. Nunn of Iowa.

H.R. 1775: Ms. Stansbury.

H.R. 1822: Mr. Owens.

H.R. 1868: Ms. Williams of Georgia.

H.R. 1882: Mr. Gill of Texas.

H.R. 1909: Mr. Wittman.

H.R. 1918: Ms. McBride.

H.R. 2028: Ms. Van Duyne and Ms. McBride.

H.R. 2033: Ms. Malliotakis.

H.R. 2109: Mr. Costa.

H.R. 2126: Mr. Brecheen and Mr. James.

H.R. 2145: Ms. Davids of Kansas.

H.R. 2160: Mr. Schmidt.

H.R. 2189: Mr. Fry.

H.R. 2199: Ms. McBride.

H.R. 2230: Ms. Malliotakis.

H.R. 2253: Mr. Frost.

H.R. 2290: Mr. Garamendi.

H.R. 2294: Ms. McBride.

H.R. 2311: Mr. Jackson of Illinois.

H.R. 2315: Ms. Boebert.

H.R. 2355: Mr. Mann.

H.R. 2395: Ms. Hageman.

H.R. 2514: Ms. Budzinski.

H.R. 2531: Mr. Larson of Connecticut and Ms. Stansbury.

H.R. 2536: Mr. Riley of New York.

H.R. 2538: Ms. Stansbury and Mr. Graves.

H.R. 2550: Mr. Clyburn.

H.R. 2599: Mr. Issa.

H.R. 2623: Mr. Wied.

H.R. 2687: Ms. Pelosi.

H.R. 2705: Mr. Collins and Ms. Boebert.

H.R. 2729: Mr. Stauber, Mr. Rose, Mrs. Radewagen, and Mr.

Peters.

H.R. 2736: Mrs. Sykes.

H.R. 2753: Ms. Chu, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Goodlander,

Mr. Meeks, Mr. Courtney, Ms. Escobar, Ms. Dexter, and Mr.

Pocan.

H.R. 2761: Mr. Goldman of New York.

H.R. 2767: Ms. Norton.

H.R. 2781: Mr. Bishop.

H.R. 2788: Mr. Cohen.

H.R. 2841: Ms. Boebert.

H.R. 2904: Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick.

H.R. 2941: Mr. Krishnamoorthi.

H.R. 2969: Mr. Cline.

H.R. 2979: Mr. Fitzpatrick.

H.R. 3033: Mr. Pfluger.

H.R. 3036: Mr. Takano.

H.R. 3043: Mr. McGuire.

H.R. 3048: Mr. Fitzpatrick.

H.R. 3098: Mr. Correa.

H.R. 3107: Mr. Bishop.

H.R. 3112: Ms. Perez, Mr. Peters, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick,

and Mr. Sherman.

H.R. 3128: Ms. Sewell.

H.R. 3131: Mr. Rogers of Kentucky.

H.R. 3142: Mr. Bacon.

H.R. 3177: Mr. Steube.

H.R. 3179: Ms. Van Duyne and Mr. Self.

H.R. 3195: Mr. Rogers of Alabama.

H.R. 3199: Ms. Omar, Ms. Meng, Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania,

Mr. Mullin, and Mr. Sherman.

H.R. 3204: Mr. Neguse.

H.J. Res. 38: Mr. Steube.

H. Res. 155: Ms. Pingree.

H. Res. 166: Ms. Norton.

H. Res. 267: Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Garcia of

California, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ms. McClellan, Mr.

Bacon, Mr. Torres of New York, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Ansari, Ms.

Tlaib, Ms. Stansbury, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Titus, Mr.

Soto, and Mr. Fields.

H. Res. 364: Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Ms. Malliotakis,

Mr. Fallon, and Mr. Kustoff.

H. Res. 380: Mr. Pocan, Mr. Thanedar, Ms. McCollum, and Ms.

Tokuda.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome to our Nation's Capitol patient advocates from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for their annual fly-in.

This week, 700 advocates representing every State and all 435 congressional delegations and districts will be raising awareness of the urgent need for policies that improve cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and patient support. It is truly an honor to have these advocates with us this week sharing their stories of resilience, loss, determination, and hope.

Like so many of these advocates, I know firsthand the impact cancer can have on our families. On June 10, 2021, I lost my beloved mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell, to pancreatic cancer. Like so many patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, my mother's cancer was not detected until it was stage IV, and therefore, was not treatable.

Tragically, the cancer took her life 8 short weeks after her diagnosis. It was a shock to our entire family, the lingering effects of which I feel every day.

In an effort to turn my pain into passion, I made a commitment to do all that I could to prevent other families from experiencing such a painful loss. That is why I am proud to be leading legislation alongside my Republican colleague, Congressman Jodey Arrington from Texas, to expand access to early detection cancer screenings.

Our bill, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, would create a pathway for Medicare to cover emerging blood tests, once FDA approved, which holds the promise of screening for up to 40 types of cancers with a single blood draw.

When it comes to cancer, we know that early detection is our best protection, and that is exactly what this bill will do. It is about ensuring that those who are most at risk can catch cancer early and stop it before it spreads.

Thanks to the advocacy of the American Cancer Society and their partners, our bill has bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, 295 House Members and 62 Senators have cosponsored it.

Last Congress, Jodey surprised me by renaming the legislation in honor of my late mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell, of Selma, Alabama, who passed away in 2021 from pancreatic cancer.

Who was she?

My mom was a devout Christian who lived a life of faith, an exemplary educator, and a library media specialist. She served in the Selma public school system for 36 years where she shaped minds and uplifted children. As a librarian, she was a strong advocate for reading, initiating the Reading is Fundamental, RIF, program in 1973, delivering books to children throughout Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It is a program that still serves children in Selma and Dallas County and Alabama's rural Black Belt today.

Nancy Sewell was a trailblazing civic leader. She became the first African-American woman elected to Selma's city council and served as an inspirational role model for women in politics.

Her favorite saying was: Bloom where you are planted.

We can make a difference right where we are, and she made a big difference in the lives of so many people whom she touched.

Again, I want to thank the American Cancer Society and their more than 700 supporters for honoring my mother on this day of advocacy, her birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join us in this important effort. Let's pass H.R. 842, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi- Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act and pave the way for a world without cancer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 842, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act,

which was included in the funding package being considered by the House today.

Named in honor of my mother who lost her battle to pancreatic cancer in 2021, this legislation would expand access to cutting-edge cancer screenings for America's seniors, ensuring Medicare coverage for these emerging tools once they become FDA approved.

I am immensely grateful that this bill was led by Republican sponsor, Congressman Jodey Arrington, and the many organizations and patient advocacy groups who helped us push this bill across the finish line. I am giving a big shout-out to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, PanCAN, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the National Minority Quality Forum, and so many others.

Thanks to their tireless advocacy, H.R. 842 is the most cosponsored bill in the 119th Congress with 339 cosponsors in the House and 68 cosponsors in the Senate.

I ask my colleagues to support this important legislation. Rest in power, my sweet mother. We will beat cancer.