Coloreactal Cancer Awareness with New Jersey Congressional Advocate Donald M. Payne Jr.
Source: Fight Colorectal Cancer.org
Colorectal cancer is a national priority and during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Congress recognized the importance of screening and prevention. Members from both parties and chambers united to re-introduce the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act (H.R. 1220 & S. 624) – a bill that seeks to remove a Medicare loophole that results in unexpected expenses for seniors receiving colonoscopy screenings.
Although colonoscopy screening is covered for seniors on Medicare at no charge as a routine screening procedure, if a physician detects a polyp and removes it, the procedure becomes ‘diagnostic’ and seniors may face an unexpected bill upon completion of the colonoscopy. This bill seeks to remove this cost barrier that is preventing some from receiving lifesaving prevention.
Congressional Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), along with Representatives Charlie Dent (PA-15), Joe Courtney (CT-2), and Michael Fitzpatrick (PA-8), introduced the bipartisan legislation that would remove financial barriers to life-saving colorectal cancer screenings and treatment for Medicare beneficiaries.
“Colorectal cancer is preventable, and 60 percent of deaths could be avoided with screening – yet it’s still the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.,” said Anjee Davis, president of Fight Colorectal Cancer. “It’s critical that this loophole in Medicare that’s charging some seniors extra, unexpected costs gets fixed so this barrier preventing them from screening is removed. We’re hopeful that this Congress will be the one to sign this bill into law.”
“No senior on a fixed income should have to choose between their health and buying groceries,” says Congressman Payne. “But under the current Medicare cost-sharing structure, many seniors are faced with unreasonably high costs that deter them from receiving cancer screenings.”
“I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to remove barriers and increase accessibility for Medicare beneficiaries seeking life-saving colorectal cancer screenings and treatment. I applaud the colorectal cancer community for its efforts to increase awareness about this important issue, and I look forward to our continued partnership in the 114th Congress.”