Ease access to precision medical testing

Florida patients will have the opportunity to receive more individualized treatment if the state legislature passes HB 885 and SB 964. These bills improve access to biomarker testing, which identifies diseases at a molecular level so that physicians can diagnose patients sooner and prescribe specific treatments in a more effective manner.

Previously, biomarker testing has mainly been used in cancer treatment. HB 885 and SB 964 would provide the opportunity for people living with other diseases, including neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, to undergo these tests. This expansion would allow providers to identify patients who could benefit from targeted treatment.

Many of my patients’ conditions can be debilitating and lead to significantly decreased quality of life without timely intervention. Initiating treatment sooner in the disease progression is the key to more successful outcomes. However, early on the diagnosis is not always very clear. This uncertainty leads to more testing and more ambiguous answers. Having access to biomarker tests, such as certain blood tests or PET scans, will allow for a faster and more accurate diagnosis. That allows more precise treatment to start sooner, without the need to try many ineffective medications, which are often associated with side effects.

Some of my patients have neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Until recently, there were no disease-modifying treatments available. These new treatment options for patients are often difficult to access due to health payer barriers. Biomarker tests are a way for patients and providers to be sure which treatment is most accurate and will provide the greatest success.

Biomarker testing can detect Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, before other traditional tests, in a less invasive manner. This in turn saves patients time and money that are potentially wasted on the wrong or unfavorable treatment option. With access to biomarker testing, we can be more certain from the start which treatment option is the best for a specific patient and catch diseases before they progress.

HB 885 and SB 964 are encouraging for many Floridians. By ensuring that patients across the health care system can access these tests, Florida would address a critical gap in health care. However, equitable access to biomarker tests remains paramount.

Access to biomarker testing has not always been equitable, especially when considering racial and socioeconomic factors, leading to lower test rates among Black patients and individuals in rural or minority communities. Quality, equity, and access must be part of the conversation for Florida to truly enhance its health care system. Ensuring accessibility to biomarker tests would guarantee that every patient has the opportunity to receive optimal care regardless of socioeconomic status.

Legislation such as HB 885 and SB 964 would acknowledge the critical role of precision medicine in modern health care and free clinicians to incorporate advanced medical technologies as part of everyday care. As we move forward, we must ensure that every patient has an opportunity to access these tests.

Bruce Rubin, MD, FAAN is a board-certified neurologist in Florida.