Rep. Granger Introduces Bill To Provide Funds for Colon Cancer Screening Programs for Low-Income, Uninsured U.S. Residents

Rep. Granger Introduces Bill To Provide Funds for Colon Cancer Screening Programs for Low-Income, Uninsured U.S. Residents

     Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) recently introduced a bill (HR 1189) to provide funds for programs that screen, treat and monitor colon cancer, with a focus on services for low-income, uninsured and underinsured U.S. residents, CQ HealthBeat reports.

Under the legislation, states could receive funds for programs that screen residents ages 50 and older, as well as younger residents at high risk for colon cancer, and provide subsequent tests and public information about early detection and screening. The legislation would authorize $50 million for the programs in fiscal year 2009 and would increase the allocation annually to $250 million by 2013. In addition, the bill would allow states to provide limited Medicaid coverage for residents younger than age 65 who are screened for and diagnosed with colon cancer but lack "creditable coverage."

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said that the legislation could prevent thousands of deaths from colon cancer annually (Kim, CQ HealthBeat, 3/2).