H.R. 6178 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Nov 20, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRemoves barriers to lung cancer screening
This bill makes it easier for people to get lung cancer screenings by removing the need for insurance companies to approve them first, so those recommended for screening can get it faster. It also expands coverage of smoking cessation counseling and medication to help people quit tobacco under Medicaid. The bill requires the government to educate the public about who should be screened and study whether screening is reaching people fairly.
How it affects you
If you have Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance and your doctor recommends a lung cancer screening, you can get one without waiting for your insurance company's approval first. If you're on Medicaid and want help quitting smoking, you'll have better access to counseling and quit-smoking medications. The bill doesn't directly affect people who don't use these insurance types or aren't referred for screening by their doctors.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Nov 20, 2025)
Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act
This bill provides for coverage without prior authorization requirements of annual lung cancer screenings under Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurance for individuals for whom screenings are recommended under U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines. It also expands Medicaid coverage of counseling and pharmacotherapy for cessation of tobacco use to all individuals, rather than only pregnant women.
The Department of Health and Human Services must conduct outreach on the importance of lung cancer screenings and who should be screened, and the Government Accountability Office must report on the demographics of those diagnosed with lung cancer and recommend ways the federal government can improve screenings.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 6178
A BILL
Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act
Sponsor: Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) · Introduced Nov 20, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Nov 20, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”
Sections
Sections · 6
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2Medicaid coverage of annual lung cancer screening with no cost sharing for certain individualsNo change
- Sec. 3Expanding coverage under Medicaid of Counseling and Pharmacotherapy for Cessation of Tobacco Use to all Medicaid individualsNo change
- Sec. 4Coverage under Medicare and private health insurance of annual lung cancer screening without utilization management requirementsNo change
- Sec. 5Lung cancer screening education and outreachNo change
- Sec. 6ReportNo change