Medical Societies Rally Behind Bill to Expand Mobile CT Lung Cancer Screening
A growing coalition of medical organizations is supporting a new bipartisan bill that would expand access to low-dose CT lung cancer screening through federally funded mobile imaging units. The Mobile Cancer Screening Act (H.R. 4417), introduced in the U.S. House in July, has drawn strong praise from the American College of Radiology (ACR)and more than a dozen other specialty groups.
If passed, the legislation would provide grants of up to $2 million per request to help healthcare providers purchase mobile CT vehicles, scanners, and related software. The goal is to bring lung cancer screening directly to underserved and rural communities, where access to advanced imaging remains limited.
“This critical piece of legislation will significantly enhance access to cancer screening services for underserved and rural communities across the United States,” the supporting organizations wrote in an Aug. 11 letter to bill co-sponsors Reps. Raul Ruiz, MD (D-Calif.), Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.).
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., killing nearly 125,000 Americans annually. While early detection via low-dose CT can make the disease treatable, many patients still face “significant” barriers to accessing timely screening. Advocates believe mobile units could help close this gap by delivering screening directly to at-risk populations.
The Mobile Cancer Screening Act is not new—lawmakers introduced a similar proposal last year, though it did not advance. This time, however, momentum appears stronger. Alongside ACR, endorsing groups include the American Lung Association, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and medical societies representing chest physicians, thoracic and plastic surgeons, orthopedic foot and ankle specialists, and gynecologic oncologists.
In its Aug. 21 update, ACR highlighted the breadth of support, noting that radiology and other specialties are united in their belief that the bill could save lives and reduce long-term costs. “By bringing cancer screening directly to the communities that need it most, this legislation will help to ensure that all individuals … can benefit from early detection and intervention,” the groups wrote. “This proactive approach will not only save lives but also reduce healthcare costs associated with late-stage cancer treatments.”
Proponents argue that mobile screening units could be especially transformative for rural and underserved regions, where patients often lack access to academic medical centers or advanced imaging facilities. By removing geographic and financial barriers, the bill seeks to improve participation in lung cancer screening programs, which currently remain underutilized despite being recommended for high-risk populations.
If passed, H.R. 4417 could also establish a model for expanding mobile access to other cancer screenings in the future, further extending preventive care into hard-to-reach communities.