Sample Letter to the Editor
[DATE]
Dear Editor:
As a person who has been affected by colorectal cancer I am writing to express the need for change in current policy.
[Personalize your letter here]
Colorectal cancer will claim over 52,000 lives in 2008, making it the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. When Americans are screened according the American Cancer Society guidelines and diagnosed early, they have a 90% survival rate. Sadly, the truth is that fewer than 40% of patients are appropriately screened.
One major reason for low screening rates is the lack of coverage for screenings and treatment. Currently the only Americans that are guaranteed coverage for colorectal cancer screenings are Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age and older. The U.S. Preventative Task Force recommends that individuals begin being screened at age 50. This is a 15 year gap! When Medicare began covering the cost of colonoscopies for high risk patients, Colonoscopy use increased from an average rate of 285 per 100,000 beneficiaries to 1919 per 100,000. This is a 700 percent increase.
Currently there are three pieces of legislation in Congress that can help provide screenings for those who need them.
- HR 1738 – The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act - Provides for a nationwide screening program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- HR 1926/ S. 1164 – The Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act - Increases Medicare Part B to provide for one pre-colonoscopy doctor visit
- HR 3060 – The Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection Coverage Act - Requires health insurers to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screenings
For more information you can visit www.CoverYourButt.org.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
** NOTE: All letters to the editor must include a signature, address, and phone number so that the paper may contact you with any questions. You may also include your affiliation with C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition if you wish. Your phone number and address will not be printed.
If possible, try to link your letter with something that was recently in the newspaper.
Last Update: July 18, 2008
