C3 Legislative Goals 2008
C3 believes that a national commitment to increasing and improving research into the prevention, screening and treatment of colorectal cancer will one day make the disease no more deadly than the common cold. Great strides must be taken for that to happen - but it is possible.
In 2008, C3 is working on the following legislative priorities:
The Cover Your Butt Campaign: www.CoverYourButt.org
The Cover Your Butt Campaign supports three bills that currently sit in the 110th Congress that, if passed, will guarantee coverage for nearly every American that should be screened: those belonging to the poor and underserved, the elderly and those with private insurance.
- The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act will establish a program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide colorectal cancer screenings and treatment for low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals who are not eligible for Medicare.
- The Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act expands existing Medicare coverage of colorectal cancer screening to include pre-procedure visits and other reimbursements, minimizing the out-of-pocket expenses for our nation’s elderly.
- The Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection Coverage Act requires private health insurance plans to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screenings.
Rep. Vic Snyder (D-AR-2) and C3 Advocate Dusty Weaver at the 2008 Call-on Congress
Increase funding for cancer research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Federal funding for cancer research has remained stagnant for several years and researchers have had to cut their programs. Without increased funding we will see more of this vital research put on hold. C3 is working with other cancer organizations to increase funding for NCI to the levels requested by the agency.
Increase colorectal cancer prevention funding at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Early detection of colorectal cancer increases chances of survival, but currently only 21 states have screening and prevention programs funded through CDC. C3 is fighting for an increase in colorectal cancer prevention funding at CDC so that all 50 states may have colorectal cancer screening projects.
Effective regulation of colorectal cancer treatments and care
Regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have a profound impact on the availability of new treatments and access to care for patients. C3 is working to provide support and funding for these agencies and to ensure that colorectal cancer patients are well-served by their regulatory actions.
Last Update: May 9, 2008
