SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today, the California Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 1309, also known as the Stop Lung Cancer Early Act. The legislation would help ensure more Californians do not delay or skip medically needed follow-up screenings and diagnostic services due to cost.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in California, claiming nearly 10,000 lives every year. When lung cancer is found early, survival rates improve significantly. Yet less than 26 percent of lung cancer cases in the state are diagnosed at an early stage.
The following is a statement from Ken Wilkerson, the California senior government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, proud co-sponsor of the bill:
“Too many Californians at high risk of lung cancer don’t get screened because they simply can’t afford it. Our lawmakers have the power to remove financial barriers to these screenings and help save lives.
“An independent analysis found that SB 1309 would increase health insurance premiums by less than 31 cents per member per month, while bringing savings of more than $149,000 in avoided treatment costs for each patient diagnosed at an earlier stage.
“We urge the State Assembly to follow suit in supporting this common-sense legislation and help reduce the toll of lung cancer in families across California.”