WASHINGTON, DC More than 30 colon and rectal cancer advocates and survivors are on Capitol Hill today calling for members of Congress to support legislation to ensure that cost is not a barrier for Medicare beneficiaries trying to access lifesaving colon cancer screenings. They are joined by U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) and Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) champions for increased access to colon cancer screenings.
The äóÖRemoving Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, ' (H.R. 1070 & S. 2348) sponsored by U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), would eliminate cost sharing for Medicare beneficiaries receiving a routine screening colonoscopy, even if a polyp is removed. Under current Medicare policy, routine colonoscopies are considered a free preventive service; however, cost sharing is required if a polyp is removed during the procedure. Last year, the administration clarified that those with private insurance should not have to pay when a polyp is removed during a screening colonoscopy.
Colonoscopies are proven to prevent colon cancer and save lives, but any cost-sharing can be a deterrent from getting the screening, said Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). This important bill would help to ensure that seniors would have access to lifesaving cancer screenings, regardless of their ability to pay.
Colorectal cancer is preventable and polyp removal is what prevents the cancer from occurring, said Anjee Davis, president of Fight Colorectal Cancer. We 're doing everything we can to help the 23 million Americans who 've yet to be screened including seniors who avoid getting a colonoscopy because of the cost-sharing loophole in Medicare policy right now.
The lobby day will begin with a meeting of stakeholders patients, survivors, advocates and health care providers led by Rep. Payne, Jr., Rep. Dent and Rep. Lance. Advocates will then hold more than 60 meetings with lawmakers to ask for their support of the äóÖRemoving Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act. '
Nearly 40 percent of people in the U.S. aged 50 and older have not been screened for colorectal cancer, and 50,000 will die from colon and rectal cancer this year. ACS CAN and Fight Colorectal Cancer have joined the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable and more than 100 other organizations in a nationwide initiative to increase colorectal cancer screening rates of Americans 50 years of age and older to 80 percent by 2018. By removing any financial barriers to screening, Congress could play a significant role in helping to reach the 2018 goal and reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer.
About the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
About Fight Colorectal Cancer
Fight Colorectal Cancer is a leading colorectal cancer nonprofit in Washington, D.C. Through patient education, advocacy and research funding the group spreads awareness and demands a cure for the second-leading killer in the United States. As the leading advocacy group, the organization serves as a resource for colorectal cancer patients, grassroots advocates, policy makers, medical professionals and health care providers. Learn more at http://www.FightColorectalCancer.org.
CONTACT:
Lauren Walens, 202-661-5763, [email protected]
Danielle Burgess, 703-548-1225, [email protected]