Yesterday, Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and the rest of the Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee approved its FY 2009 spending bill.
The bill makes major investments in healthcare including:
Colorectal Screenings – The Subcommittee provided $25 million to establish a nation-wide program to support colorectal screenings for low-income individuals.
The full Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill on Thursday
This funding is above and beyond what is provided for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Colorectal Cancer Outreach Program. We of course need to maintain these dollars in the negotiations with the House, as well as continue pressing to get HR 1738 authorized so there is a framework around the program going forward.
I will keep you updated on any further developments.


June 27, 2008 at 3:39 pm, Jo-Ellen said:
Keep it up, Joe! Though my Rep here in Spartanburg, South Carolina does not see the good in this Bill, those of us with screening and treatment needs do.
I always look forward to your words of wisdom on Legislative issues.
June 27, 2008 at 9:31 pm, Mortimer said:
Joe,
You still ‘da man’. Stronger than ever. Local
Reps Bilirakis and Castor are on board, ne c’est
pas? If not, I’ll get on ‘em again.