Mississippi Biomarker Testing Bill Passes

Mississippi is poised to take a major step forward in patient access to precision medicine.

The Jill Gary Eure Act (HB 565) — legislation aimed at expanding access to biomarker testing was officially signed by Governor Reeves today making Mississippi the 23rd state to pass biomarker testing legislation.

Last week Patients Rising signed onto a letter led by American Cancer Society Action Network (ACS CAN) and a broad coalition of patient advocacy organizations, providers, and medical societies in a letter urging Governor Tate Reeves to sign the bill.

Why This Bill Matters for Patients

Biomarker testing plays a critical role in modern medicine, helping doctors determine which treatments are most likely to work for an individual patient.

As outlined in the coalition letter:

• Biomarker testing allows care to be tailored to a patient’s unique biology
• It helps patients avoid ineffective treatments
• It can improve outcomes, quality of life, and survival

In diseases like cancer and autoimmune conditions, the ability to quickly identify the right treatment can mean the difference between effective care and months — or even years — of trial and error.

The Problem the Bill Addresses

Despite strong clinical evidence supporting biomarker testing, access has not kept pace.

Many insurance plans do not consistently cover evidence-based biomarker testing, creating barriers for patients who could benefit from precision medicine.

According to the coalition:

• Insurance coverage remains a significant barrier to testing
• Patients may face delays in receiving the most effective treatment
• Gaps in access can contribute to disparities in care based on geography, income, and other factors

What HB 565 Does

The Jill Gary Eure Act aligns insurance coverage for biomarker testing with current medical evidence and clinical guidelines.

The goal is simple:

➡️ Ensure patients have access to the right test at the right time
➡️ Connect patients with the most effective treatments sooner
➡️ Reduce unnecessary treatments and delays in care

This type of legislation has already been adopted in more than 20 states, with broad bipartisan support.

A Patient-Centered Step Forward

This legislation is named in honor of Jill Eure, whose experience with cancer and biomarker testing highlights the real-world impact of precision medicine.

Her story underscores what is at stake for patients across Mississippi and beyond:

Access to biomarker testing is not just about technology — it is about ensuring that patients receive care that is tailored, timely, and effective.

What Happens Next

With HB 565 set to become law, attention now turns to implementation.

Key questions include:

• How quickly insurers update coverage policies
• Whether patients and providers are informed about expanded access
• How effectively the law improves real-world access to testing

Patients Rising will continue to monitor how this policy is implemented and whether it delivers meaningful improvements for patients.

The Bigger Picture

This moment reflects a broader shift in healthcare:

➡️ Moving away from trial-and-error treatment
➡️ Toward precision, personalized care
➡️ And toward policies that prioritize patient outcomes

Biomarker testing is a cornerstone of that shift.

Patients Rising Perspective

Patients deserve access to the tools that help them get the right treatment the first time.

Policies like HB 565 help remove barriers to care and ensure that advances in medicine reach the patients who need them most.