A pair of Mississippi lawmakers have been recognized for moving legislation advancing healthcare for cancer patients across the finish line.
Rep. Sam Creekmore, R-New Albany, and Sen. Walter Michel, R-Ridgeland, received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award for their advocacy for Jill’s Law this past legislative session. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network presented the award.
Jill’s Law, which was signed into law by Gov. Tate Reeves in March, mandates that insurers regulated by the Mississippi Insurance Department, including Medicaid and the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan, provide coverage for biomarker testing when used for the diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management, or ongoing monitoring of a patient’s cancer.
Biomarker testing analyzes biological indicators, often through blood or tissue samples, to help doctors identify which treatments are most likely to be effective for a specific type of cancer. In some cases, the testing can help determine whether a patient is more likely to benefit from treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapies.
“Rep. Creekmore and Sen. Michel worked diligently with patients, physicians, advocates, and fellow lawmakers to advance Jill’s Law, garnering unanimous, bipartisan support for a noble goal: doing what is best for Mississippi patients,” ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse said.
“Because of their determination, thousands of Mississippians facing cancer and other serious illnesses will have greater access to precision medicine and evidence-based care. ACS CAN looks forward to our continued partnership on behalf of all the patients, survivors, and families touched by cancer in Mississippi.”
Jill’s Law was named in honor of the late wife of state Rep. Casey Eure, R-Saucier. Before her passing, Jill Eure notably used biomarker testing following her cancer diagnosis. Officials believe the new state law will help reduce barriers to testing needed to guide treatment and improve health outcomes by potentially giving patients more treatment options.
“We are grateful to Rep. Eure for sharing Jill’s story and allowing us to honor her memory through this important legislation,” Kimberly Hughes, Mississippi government relations director for ACS CAN, said.
“We are especially thankful to sponsors Sen. Michel and Rep. Creekmore, who carried Jill’s Law over the finish line so we can help thousands of Mississippians access these game-changing tests. This award celebrates their efforts to make Mississippi a national leader in cancer policy. We look forward to continuing our efforts together to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.”
The law went into effect in Mississippi on July 1.
