State Senator Devlin Robinson | Pennsylvania
State Senator Devlin Robinson | Pennsylvania
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved two bills today aimed at enhancing cancer treatment access and stabilizing the insurance market, according to Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37).
House Bill 1754, the companion bill to Robinson’s Senate Bill 954, seeks to provide Pennsylvanians with better access to personalized treatments following a diagnosis of cancer and other specific diseases through biomarker testing and precision medicine. Biomarker testing examines biological changes at a molecular level, aiding in the detection of cancer and other diseases, ensuring patients receive appropriate treatment options, and predicting disease progression.
"I, like too many, have a family history of cancer. My father was diagnosed at a relatively young age which led me to discover that I have the BRCA-2 gene mutation and would have a harder time fighting cancer if I was diagnosed. Because I was screened, tested and received my baseline prostate-specific antigen levels in my thirties, I can stay on top of my health," Robinson said. "If someday I do get the dreadful news of cancer, I will have targeted and precise treatment to fight it to the best of my body’s ability. I want this chance for every Pennsylvanian."
Senate Bill 954 aims to streamline processes by removing financial barriers, standardizing definitions and procedures, and acknowledging disparities in treatment—especially among diverse populations.
The second bill approved by the committee is House Bill 2096, which mirrors Robinson’s Senate Bill 1148. This legislation intends to provide clarity and uniformity in the insurance market by codifying a surplus lines fee structure for personal transactions.
"This specialty insurance is vital for consumers needing coverage for high-risk items like boats or art collections," Robinson said. "By prohibiting fees for non-commercial products, Pennsylvania is now the only state where surplus lines brokers cannot recoup their costs, threatening their ability to stay in business."
The bills now proceed to the Senate for consideration.
CONTACT:
Allison Dutrey
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