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NIH and NCI Funding Increased in FY 2021 Budget Deal; Access to Care Prioritized

... D.C.,—Congress approved an FY 2021 funding deal that includes an increase for biomedical research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and cancer research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In a tough budget environment, the spending bill includes a $1.25 ... care more affordable. By passing the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, unexpected out-of-pocket costs Medicare beneficiaries can face after a colonoscopy if a polyp is found and removed will be phased out. Individuals on private health plans enjoy full coverage of ... Act, but a loophole in Medicare can result in some seniors waking up to an unexpected bill amounting to hundreds of dollars. Research shows any cost sharing can be a significant barrier to accessing cancer screenings. Additionally, Congress passed the No Surprises Act to prohibit surprise ...

New Report Shows Significant Opportunities Remain for States to Pass Policies to Save Lives and Money from Cancer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Aug. 3, 2017 – A majority of states are missing critical opportunities to pass and implement legislative solutions proven to prevent and fight cancer, according to a report released today by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). How Do You Measure Up?: A Progress Report on State Legislative Activity to Reduce Cancer Incidence and Mortality grades states on the ... help to prevent a disease that kills roughly 1,650 people a day nationwide, costs patients nearly $4 billion in out-of-pocket costs and in 2014 cost the country as a whole more than $87 billion in direct medical costs.   The report, an annual snapshot of key state policies, indicates that ...

Medicare Covers Colonoscopy After Noninvasive Screening Test

Washington, D.C. - National nonprofit organizations Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC), American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), alongside colorectal cancer (CRC) advocates, celebrate as Medicare beneficiaries will no longer face out-of-pocket costs for a necessary colonoscopy after a positive noninvasive screening test. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ... screenings. But for those who receive a positive result, screening is not complete until they undergo a colonoscopy. Ensuring that cost is not a barrier will help increase access to CRC screening and ultimately save lives. “We are grateful that CMS took this important step to ...

Cancer Advocates Send ‘SOS’ to OK Capitol: Save Our Screenings to Save Lives

OKLAHOMA CITY – Cancer survivors, health professionals and students will convene at the Capitol on Monday, April 16, seeking restoration of the state’s Colorectal Cancer Screening Fund and protection for current life-saving programs. Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest type ... help balance the 2018 budget. The Legislature swept any remaining dollars from the Colorectal Cancer Screening Fund, permanently closing it. Low-cost to no-cost cancer screenings save lives – especially for those who avoid the hospital because of dollar signs at a detriment of their health. Colorectal cancer is a disease that can be treated successfully if found early enough or even prevented altogether with the removal of polyps during a colonoscopy. ACS CAN volunteers ...

Courage in Action: Cancer Survivors Unite at State Capitol to Advocate for Change

... wore their “suits and sneakers” to ask lawmakers to make cancer a policy priority. “As a breast cancer survivor, I know the importance of preventing cancer and improving access to care all too well,” said Maggie Powell, cancer survivor and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteer. “In Springfield today, I let our lawmakers know that they must do all they can to reduce the toll of cancer on Illinoisans. ... to support legislation improving access to guideline recommended genetic testing for inherited gene mutations by capping burdensome patient cost-sharing requirements at no more than $50. While the legislation provides coverage for guideline recommended cancer screening based on a ...

New Data Reveals That Gaps in Coverage For Those with Private Insurance Are Major Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening

... marks for colorectal cancer screening laws, according to the 2009 Colorectal Cancer Legislation Report Card.  Issued today by a coalition of 11 leading public health groups and medical professional societies, the report card was released along with new data from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN) attributing increasing colorectal cancer screening rates in part to state laws requiring private insurers to cover screenings, and a new ... them from getting a colonoscopy. Of those circumstances, paying for procedure costs not covered by insurance either all or a portion of the full cost of the procedure -- ranked at the top of the list, compared to the inconvenience and possible discomfort and of a colonoscopy, which ranked a ...

Cancer advocacy group to push for better access to colorectal cancer screenings

... – The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network in Rhode Island is beginning the new year by pushing state lawmakers to eliminate cost-sharing for all preventative colorectal cancer screenings for people age 45 and older. Legislation requiring the change passed the R.I. Senate ... off on March 15. Cancer patients, survivors and others are to meet virtually with lawmakers during the event. “The COVID-19 pandemic has many of us thinking about how we can live longer and healthier lives, and ensuring people have affordable access to appropriate cancer screenings is a critical part of living a ...

The Columbian - Letter to the Editor: Remove Barriers to Screening

The following letter to the editor was published in The Columbian regarding ACS CAN's effort to close the colorectal cancer screening loophole for Medicare recipients.   By Jennifer Kampsula Wong, Vancouver Published: April ... great grandmother and two great aunts. Currently Medicare, like private insurance, fully pays for routine colonoscopies for the purpose of screening. But, unlike private insurance, if a polyp is found and removed during the procedure, the colonoscopy is categorized as diagnostic exam, and the Medicare patient must pay a share of the cost. This Medicare loophole can leave patients with a surprise bill up to $300. As an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer ...

Governor Phil Scott Proclaims March Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

... Phil Scott will proclaim March 2017 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by issuing a statewide proclamation. Gov. Scott’s support is part of a nationwide movement led by the patient advocacy organizations working towards the goal of all 50 states acknowledging March as Colorectal ... colon cancer, yet more than one in three Americans is not getting screened as recommended The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) applauds Gov. Scott for bringing attention to a disease expected to kill approximately 50,000 people in the United States this year.  ... In Congress, legislation has been filed to ensure those at risk of colon cancer are not avoiding potentially lifesaving screenings due to cost. The Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act (H.R. 1017) aims to close a loophole in Medicare that allows seniors to be charged ...

New US Preventive Services Task Force Draft Guidelines on Colorectal Cancer Lower Age to Start Screening, Will Save Lives if Finalized

... American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines released in 2018. Since that time, ACS and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) have urged the USPSTF to expedite its review cycle to take into account new scientific evidence that supports starting routine screening at age 45.  The following is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, ACS CAN President: “Research shows rates of colorectal cancer are increasing in young-and middle-aged populations, which spurred ACS to lower its recommended screening age to 45 in 2018. ... with ACA-compliant plans age 45-49 who previously were not eligible to get coverage for colorectal screenings will gain access at no cost. Knowing cost is a major barrier for patients getting screened, this change would help move our mission forward to end suffering and death ...

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