Rep. Ritchie Torres Announces Bill to Expand Insurance Coverage for Annual Lung Cancer Screenings Following Bronx Press Event with Weill Cornell Medicine

Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) joined Weill Cornell Medicine in the Bronx Monday morning to spotlight National Lung Cancer Awareness Month and the launch of a new mobile lung cancer screening unit. At the event, he announced the introduction of the Lung Cancer Screening Expansion Act of 2025, a new bill that would require full insurance coverage for annual lung cancer screenings for adults 50 to 80 who are at increased risk.

The Bronx has the highest rate of advanced lung cancer at diagnosis in New York City. The mobile screening unit will bring low-dose CT scans, care navigation, and smoking cessation support directly into neighborhoods that have long faced barriers to early detection.

“In the Bronx, people are dying because they’re being diagnosed with lung cancer far too late,” said Rep. Torres. “That isn’t acceptable. This mobile unit brings lifesaving screenings right to our streets, and my bill will make sure cost and paperwork can’t stand in the way. Early detection saves lives, and the Bronx deserves the same fighting chance as every other community.”

The bill requires private insurers and all major federal health programs to cover annual low-dose CT screenings with no out-of-pocket costs and bars prior authorization, step-therapy rules, or other hurdles that often delay care. The full text is attached as a PDF.

Photos and videos from yesterday’s press conference are available here and here for any outlets that were unable to attend but would like to cover the event.