Biomarker legislation could improve patient access in 2024

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a bill into law requiring all state-regulated health plans, including Medicaid, to cover comprehensive biomarker testing. The move is expected to improve access to precision medicine treatments, reducing health disparities, improving patient outcomes, and potentially leading to cost savings. Similar legislation is being considered or has already been enacted in at least 22 states across the U.S. Such testing is seen as key to early diagnosis and tailored treatment of various diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.