H.R. 842 – Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act
Introduced in House 1/31/2025 by Representative Jodey Arrington (R-TX19)
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests.
This Bill currently has the highest number of “cosponsors” of any active bill in the 199th Congress. I find that to be very interesting considering it’s scope, and the original intent of Social Security.
Social Security was created in 1935 and started paying benefits in 1937. Its intent was to “…provide retirement benefits to workers aged 65 and older.” In 1956, the program opened up to persons with certain disabilities between the ages of 50 and 64 to receive benefits. In 1960 it opened up to include disabled workers under 50 years old and their dependents. It is no small wonder that the system has had financial stability issues.
What is most concerning about this bill is its clear division from Social Security’s original intent. As mentioned above, Social Security was originally intended to be a retirement benefit for persons aged 65 and older. This Bill proposes to expand payments for Milti-Cancer Early screening which sounds like a great benefit. However, the Bill limits that benefit to persons under the age of 68. Until one year after it is enacted when they will expand the program to persons under the age of 69. That means that the people for whom Social Security was originally set up for can only access this benefit for 2 years (3 after the first year). That seems to completely counter the actual intent of Social Security
It begs the question, “If this benefit is not designed to support Social Security’s main constituents, then who is it for?”
It also makes me wonder, “Do Congress Members create non-functional Legislation that affects few people and will not cost much in the end just to have the appearance of working?”
This Bill also appears to presume to direct the activities and directions of an “Executive Agency.” One might say that it is just “amending” previous Congressional Direction to that created Executive agency. However, two wrongs do not make a right. The fact that previous overreaching direction was given does not justify giving additional direction, nor does it confirm the validity of the original direction.
Article I, Section 8 of The Constitution grants Congress 17 specific powers. None of which are to create Federal Agencies, nor to dictate the activities, or scope, of Executive Branch Agencies. Social Security is an Agency of the Executive Branch.
To clarify any questions regarding Congress’ powers, and in fact the powers of the Federal Government as a whole, the 10th Amendment to the Constitution was created. It clearly states, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
What do you think?