HEALTH CARE
By: James T. Brett & Andrea Hechavarria
The New England Council recently hosted a forum in Boston exploring some of the incredible innovation in our region focused on the early detection of diseases. We heard about some of the remarkable advances in technology that are enabling earlier detection of everything from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.
From our keynote speaker, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, and our panel of experts from the business and medical communities, we learned how some of these ground-breaking innovations are not only saving lives, but also having a significant economic impact by minimizing long-term health care costs and alleviating strain on our beleaguered health care system.
A key focus of the discussion among the experts at this program was on how federal policy can continue to foster innovation in this area, and can ensure that every American has access to early-detection tools. And on that front, there was some good news, as Congress has taken steps in recent months to advance policies that will expand access to these tools.
Earlier this year, as part of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill, Congress enacted the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage (MCED) Act, which will allow Medicare — beginning in 2028 — to cover MCED tests in a timely manner following FDA approval and evidence of clinical benefit.
Currently, most vulnerable patients could face years-long waits to access the latest innovations in cancer detection. The New England Council proudly endorsed this bipartisan legislation, and is grateful to the many members of the New England delegation who co-sponsored the proposal.
In more good news, bipartisan legislation has been introduced to expand access to similar testing aimed at early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. Last fall, leaders in both the House and Senate introduced the Alzheimer’s Screening and Detection (ASAP) Act, which would create a pathway for Medicare coverage of FDA-approved blood biomarker screening tests that help detect Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, if passed, this bill will not only improve patient care, but also help facilitate smoother transitions from primary care to specialists — reducing the burden on overextended health care workers and helping to alleviate bottlenecks in the health care system.
In order to ensure access to early detection, we must continue to advocate for strong investment in critical research at the federal level. As home to some of the world’s premier medical and scientific research institutions, New England is the recipient of billions of dollars of federal research funding that has supported the development of new early detection technologies, as well as lifesaving new treatments. We were encouraged that Congress increased NIH funding in fiscal year 2026, and encourage them to continue to invest in this critical research.
As even more advancement in early detection technologies is at the forefront, Congress, the FDA and CMS must work together to ensure our nation’s health care policies incentivize broad patient access and availability to these technologies. Early detection of disease improves patient outcomes and reduces health care costs by catching diseases at earlier stages when more treatments are available and more effective, reducing long-term hospital stays and intensive care.
The takeaway message is loud and clear:
Early detection saves lives and saves money. Much progress has been made, but we cannot afford to take our foot off the gas pedal. As Rep. McGovern said in his keynote remarks, “We’re lucky to live in the most scientifically advanced time in the history of the world … we’re lucky to live in New England, one of the most research-rich regions anywhere in the world.”
So let’s not squander that good fortune and keep supporting the innovation that will detect diseases and save lives.
James T. Brett is the president & CEO of The New England Council, a nonpartisan alliance of businesses, academic and health institutions, and public and private organizations throughout New England formed to promote economic growth and a high quality of life in the region. Andrea Hechavarria is the president & CEO of New Hampshire Life Sciences (NHLS), the statewide life sciences association that works to connect, convene and facilitate the advancement of the life sciences industry in the Granite State.
The New England Council recently hosted a forum in Boston exploring some of the incredible innovation in our region focused on the early detection of diseases. We heard about some of the remarkable advances in technology that are enabling earlier detection of everything from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.
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