People living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body, deserve the care they need when they need it. But for some of the more than 168,000 women and men living with MBC in the United States, long waiting periods create significant barriers.

As their cancer progresses, many people with MBC are not able to continue working, which puts their health insurance and financial stability in jeopardy. Under current law, MBC patients are subject to a five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and a 24-month waiting period for Medicare benefits.

The bipartisan Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R.2048) would waive these waiting periods, improving access to care and quality of life for MBC patients. MBC patients should not have to wait for the care and financial support they require. Contact your legislators today to urge them to support this critical policy change.