Advocates from across the country participating in C3′s 2010 Call-on Congress had the opportunity to get tips on having effective meetings with Members and Congressional staff from two staffers whose bosses are champions for the colorectal cancer community.
Theresa Vawter, Legislative Assistant for Representative Kay Granger (R-TX) who is the sponsor of the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act (H.R. 1189) which would put in place a national colorectal cancer screening and treatment program participated in a panel along with Tom Wharton, Health Care Legislative Assistant and Speechwriter for Representative Dan Boren (D-OK). Representative Boren is the sponsor of the Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Act (H.R. 1330) which will help to increase population-based screening rates for colorectal cancer by requiring all health insurance plans, both individual and group, to cover a colonoscopy for anyone age 50 or older.
Theresa and Tom spoke with the advocates about why each of their bosses is such a champion for colorectal cancer issues. Like too many Americans, both Representative Granger and Representative Boren have lost family members to this disease. Each is using their position as Member of Congress to push legislation that if enacted will lower the cost of colonoscopies and expand access to screening and treatment services.
The tips and advice they shared with the advocates helped to prepare them to head to Capitol Hill and meet with their Members of Congress.
On Wednesday, March 17 the advocates marched to Capitol Hill to ask their legislators to support:
- $50 million in funding for the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) at the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2011. This program at the Department of Defense funds research for a number of cancers including colorectal cancer.
- The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1189) which would establish a national colorectal cancer screening and treatment program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- The Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection Act (H.R. 1330) would require all health insurance plans, both individual and group, to cover a colonoscopy for anyone age 50 or older.
Their voices were heard on Capitol Hill, and will continue to make a difference in the fight against colorectal cancer!
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