Colorectal Cancer Coalition

White House Promotes Preventive Care Provisions of the Affordable Care Act

This afternoon, First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke at George Washington University Hospital to announce the release of new guidelines that will provide free preventive health care services under the Affordable Care Act.

The new guidelines will mean that insurance plan can no longer charge copayments or other fees for a number of preventive services including colorectal cancer screenings.  The regulation does not take effect until Sept. 23, and it only applies to plans that are new after that, meaning that people who stay on their existing plan won’t benefit from the change.

Colorectal Cancer Coalition President Carlea Bauman was invited to the event, which was attended by about 50 other health care leaders, doctors, and nurses.

During her remarks, Secretary Sebelius said that “[t]oo many Americans don’t get the preventive care they need to stay healthy.”  A conclusion the colorectal cancer community is well aware of with colorectal cancer continuing to be the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and women and the second most common cause of cancer death.

Interested in learning more about today’s guidelines and other provisions in the Affordable Care Act that will affect the colorectal cancer community?  Take a look at our webinar that provides an overview of the Affordable Care Act through a cancer lens.

This news article was originally posted on July 14th, 2010 and was accurate at the time of publication. Since then, information may have changed or links may now be outdated. Please call our Answer Line 1-877-427-2111 for the latest information, or talk to your doctor before making any medical decisions.

Posted by Catherine Knowles on July 14th, 2010
Tags: Affordable Care Act, colorectal cancer screening, Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary Sebelius

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