House approves coverage for biomarker testing and names measure 'Jill's Law'

The Mississippi House of Representatives approved House Bill 565 on final passage after adopting an amendment that inserts a naming provision and language cited on the floor as "Jill's Law." The bill requires insurance companies to cover biomarker testing, described by the sponsor as important for tailoring treatment for cancer and other serious conditions.

The bill sponsor (the member who called up the item from Holly Springs) told colleagues that biomarker testing "is very important in helping patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, respiratory issues, heart disease, Alzheimer's" and that early testing helps physicians determine the best course of action.

The clerk read a second amendment (Amendment No. 2) offered by Representative Felsher to insert a new Section 1 designating the act "the Jill ... Act or Jill's Law" and to renumber the bill's sections accordingly. Representative Felsher described Jill as the wife of Representative Casey Ure and said biomarker testing had been instrumental in her care; the sponsor urged members to support the amendment to honor her and to expand access based on medical need rather than insurance fine print.

Members asked clarification questions on whether the amendment or bill included genetic or chromosomal testing for abnormalities; the sponsor and other members replied that those elements were not included.

The House voted to adopt the amendment (recorded as adopted by voice/machine) and then voted on final passage; the clerk announced "By a vote of 117 yays, 0 nays, bill passes." The bill, as amended to include the naming provision, was approved on final passage.

Transcript spellings of the personal name associated with the naming provision are inconsistent (the clerk's read and sponsor's remarks include variants such as "Jill Gary," "Jill Gerriere," and "Jill Garrett"). The transcript identifies the honoree as the spouse of Representative Casey Ure; the floor explanation emphasized the personal testimony that biomarker testing had improved the honoree's treatment options. The House record will be the authoritative source for the bill title and any official name spelling.