H.R. 2048: Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act
Sponsor
Andrew Garbarino
Republican · NY-2
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 11, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Why it matters
If you're diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, you could wait five months before your first disability check arrives — then another 24 months before Medicare kicks in. That's 29 months of bureaucratic delay for a disease with a five-year survival rate around 30%. H.R. 2048 would eliminate both waiting periods, the same way Congress already did for ALS patients. With 216 cosponsors from both parties, this is one of the most broadly supported bills in the 119th Congress.
The mechanism is straightforward. Federal law currently makes most disabled workers wait five months before Social Security Disability Insurance payments begin, and then sit through another 24-month waiting period before Medicare coverage starts. Congress carved out an exception for ALS in 2000, recognizing that some diseases are too severe and too fast-moving for administrative delays.
H.R. 2048 adds metastatic breast cancer to that same exception. If you qualify for SSDI with a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, your disability payments start immediately — no five-month gap. And your Medicare coverage begins right away instead of 29 months after disability onset.
The bill doesn't create a new program or a new bureaucracy. It amends two paragraphs in the Social Security Act to insert "or metastatic breast cancer" alongside ALS. The SSDI change applies to applications filed after the bill becomes law. The Medicare change applies to benefits for months after enactment.
The political math is striking. Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) introduced the bill with Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), and 216 members have signed on as cosponsors — nearly half the House. The cosponsor list includes everyone from Nancy Pelosi to Tom Cole (the House Speaker). That kind of bipartisan breadth is rare on any bill, let alone one that adds federal spending.
What does H.R. 2048 do?
Disability checks start immediately
People with metastatic breast cancer would no longer wait the standard five months before SSDI payments begin. Benefits start as soon as you qualify, matching the existing exception for ALS.
Medicare coverage without the two-year gap
The 24-month waiting period between qualifying for disability and gaining Medicare eligibility is waived for metastatic breast cancer patients. You get coverage when you need it, not two years later.
Same legal treatment as ALS
The bill adds metastatic breast cancer to the existing ALS exception in the Social Security Act. Congress recognized in 2000 that some diseases are too urgent for waiting periods — this bill extends that recognition.
Applies to new applications going forward
The SSDI change covers applications filed after enactment. The Medicare waiver applies to benefit months after the bill becomes law. Neither provision is retroactive.
Who benefits from H.R. 2048?
People diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer
Roughly 168,000 Americans are living with metastatic breast cancer. Those who can no longer work would receive disability income and Medicare coverage months or years sooner — eliminating the financial gap during the most expensive phase of treatment.
Families absorbing the cost of advanced cancer treatment
When a household loses income to a cancer diagnosis and treatment costs climb, a 29-month benefits gap can mean choosing between rent and chemotherapy. Earlier benefits ease that pressure.
Oncologists and cancer treatment centers
Faster Medicare enrollment means fewer patients delaying or skipping recommended treatment because they lack insurance coverage during the waiting period.
Who is affected by H.R. 2048?
Social Security Administration
SSA would process a new category of disability applicants without the standard waiting period, requiring updated intake and eligibility procedures.
Medicare program and federal budget
Earlier Medicare enrollment for this patient population increases near-term federal spending. The CBO score will quantify the cost, which could affect the bill's path through committee.
Patients with other advanced cancers and serious illnesses
They still face the full 29-month wait. This bill covers metastatic breast cancer only — which may renew debate over whether other terminal or severe diagnoses deserve the same exception.
H.R. 2048 Common Questions
How long do metastatic breast cancer patients currently wait for disability benefits?
Up to 29 months. Federal law requires a 5-month wait before SSDI payments begin, then another 24 months before Medicare coverage starts. H.R. 2048 would eliminate both waiting periods for people with metastatic breast cancer.
Why does the bill compare metastatic breast cancer to ALS?
Congress eliminated the SSDI and Medicare waiting periods for ALS patients in 2000, recognizing the disease was too severe for bureaucratic delays. H.R. 2048 uses the same legal mechanism — adding metastatic breast cancer to the ALS exception in the Social Security Act.
Does H.R. 2048 cover all breast cancer patients?
No. The bill applies only to metastatic breast cancer — cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. Earlier-stage breast cancer patients would still face the standard waiting periods.
Would H.R. 2048 apply to people already waiting for benefits?
The SSDI change applies to applications filed after the bill becomes law. The Medicare waiver applies to benefit months after enactment. Neither provision is retroactive — people currently in a waiting period would not automatically qualify.
How many cosponsors does H.R. 2048 have?
216 cosponsors from both parties — nearly half the House. The bill was introduced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) with Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) and has drawn support from members ranging from Nancy Pelosi to Tom Cole.
What committee does H.R. 2048 need to pass through?
The House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over Social Security and Medicare. The bill was referred there on the day it was introduced. No committee vote has been scheduled yet.
What is the five-year survival rate for metastatic breast cancer?
Around 30%, according to national cancer statistics. That context is central to the bill — supporters argue that making patients with a severe prognosis wait 29 months for full federal benefits is indefensible.
Could other cancers or diseases qualify for the same waiting period waiver?
Not under this bill. H.R. 2048 is narrowly written for metastatic breast cancer only. But its passage could set a precedent — patient groups for other advanced cancers and terminal diagnoses may push for similar exceptions.
Based on H.R. 2048 bill text
HR2048 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Mar 11, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
About the Sponsor
Andrew Garbarino
Republican, New York's 2nd congressional district · 5 years in Congress
Committees: Homeland Security, Ethics, Financial Services
View full profile →
Cosponsors (216)
This bill has 216 cosponsors: 155 Democrats, 61 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 41 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, and 38 more.
Kathy Castor
Democrat · FL
Brian Fitzpatrick
Republican · PA
Judy Chu
Democrat · CA
Randy Feenstra
Republican · IA
Suzan DelBene
Democrat · WA
Nicole Malliotakis
Republican · NY
Terri Sewell
Democrat · AL
Beth Van Duyne
Republican · TX
Jimmy Panetta
Democrat · CA
Darin LaHood
Republican · IL
Lloyd Doggett
Democrat · TX
Sharice Davids
Democrat · KS
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Ways and Means Committee
28 of 45 committee members cosponsored
15 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 2048 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 226(h) of Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 426(h))
inserting ``or metastatic breast cancer'' after ``amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)''
H.R. 2048 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Ways and Means
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Social Welfare
- Introduced
- Mar 11, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Mar 11, 2025
Official Sources
Who is lobbying on H.R. 2048?
2 organizations lobbying on this bill
HADASSAH, THE WOMEN'S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC. | 1 |
SUSAN G. KOMEN | 1 |
Showing 1-2 of 2 organizations
H.R. 2048 Bill Text
“To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting periods for disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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