Ask NJ legislators: Protect patients and Pass the Biomarker Bill

Dear [Legislator],

Please pass the biomarker testing bill (NJ A4163/S3098), which will ensure that all state-regulated insurers cover the biomarker testing New Jersey patients need to have more effective treatment and help improve health outcomes. Patients can’t wait for effective treatments, and this could potentially help them access the life-changing care they need more quickly.

Biomarker testing informs doctors of which therapies may be more likely to result in a favorable response. This enables more personalized medicine that helps tailor treatments to the specific needs of each patient. It may lead to better outcomes and reduced side effects, as treatments can be targeted to the individual’s unique genetic makeup and biomarker profile.

The application of biomarker testing helps identify treatment options for cancer, arthritis, autoimmune disease, and other illnesses too. 

However, in the current system, not all New Jersey insurance plans cover the biomarker testing patients need, forcing patients to either forgo the test or pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars out of pocket.

The good news is that NJ A4163/S3098 would require insurance plans, including Medicaid, to cover biomarker testing when supported by scientific and medical evidence. I urge you to please pass the bill to remove barriers to biomarker testing and help NJ patients avoid treatments that may be ineffective or have more adverse side effects.

There are 15 other states that have already passed legislation similar to A4163/S3098, so by passing this bill, you can help ensure that New Jersey patients have access to the same level of care and treatment options as patients in other parts of the country.

Please pass NJ A4163/S3098. Thank you for your attention to this issue.

Sincerely,

[Advocate Name]