Members of the U.S. Senate have reintroduced a bill into Congress that would ensure timely breast and cervical screening for low-income or underinsured women.
The Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act, led by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME), would reauthorize the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). The bill was reintroduced on May 22.
The program provides public education, outreach, patient navigation, and care coordination to increase breast and cervical cancer screening rates and reach underserved, vulnerable populations.
“Nearly every American’s life has been touched by a devastating cancer diagnosis, and early detection is one of the best tools we have to save lives. No Wisconsinite should miss regular screenings because of cost,” Baldwin said in a prepared statement. “That’s why I’m proud to lead this legislation with my Republican colleague to help detect cancers earlier, save lives, and ensure more Americans get the care they need at a price they can afford.”
The bill's reintroduction comes as the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 (FY26) budget proposal makes its rounds in Congress, which calls to eliminate all federal funding for critical cancer prevention and control programs, including the NBCCEDP.
Susan G. Komen, in a statement, commended the Senators for reintroducing the bill, saying that it and congressional support for NBCCEDP "is more important than ever amongst this call to eliminate funding."
The bill has bipartisan support and passed key committees in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Joining Senators Baldwin and Collins are Representative Joe Morelle (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), who previously reintroduced the bill in the House in March.
"Every year, too many lives are lost because cancer is detected too late," Fitzpatrick said in March. "By modernizing and expanding the [NBCCEDP], we are taking a step forward in removing barriers that prevent too many women — especially those in underserved communities — from getting the screenings that could save their lives."
Komen said it urges Congress to pass the SCREENS for Cancer Act without delay, highlighting that it will make "meaningful progress" in the fight against breast cancer and "ensure that all Americans have access to the screenings they need for early, life-saving intervention."
