In The News

Veteran Fights For Others In His Shoes

KANSAS CITY, Nov. 7, 2022 — Navy Veteran and Stage Four Colon Cancer Patient Jason Randall tells us about his journey from diagnosis to patient advocate. Interview Link

My Trip to the White House as a Patient With Cancer

Oct. 17, 2022 — My trip to the White House to advocate for myself and other patients with cancer was an empowering and memorable experience. Article Link

Getting Black and LGBTQ+ Communities Screened for Colorectal Cancer

Aug.16, 2022 — After her own bout with a delayed diagnosis, advocate Paula Chambers Raney is on a mission to ensure Black and gay women like herself get the diagnosis and care they need. Article Link

Expert Discusses White House Meeting to Address Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screenings, Health Equity

Aug. 19, 2022 — Andrew Barnell, MBA, CEO and co-founder of Geneoscopy, discusses his meeting at the White House on President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative. Article Link

Colorectal Cancer Screenings Take Center Stage at White House Meeting

July 16, 2022 — Experts say there are more screening options now for colorectal cancer. Article Link

South Jersey Firefighter Working To Help Others After Beating Colorectal Cancer

MOUNT LAUREL, June 16, 2022 — A South Jersey firefighter is used to suiting up and putting out fires, rushing in to save lives. Now, he’s helping save lives in a much different way. It’s a mission inspired by a battle of his own. Article Link

Preventive care might be free, but follow-up diagnostic tests can bring big out-of-pocket bills

PHILADELPHIA, June 15, 2022 — Under the law, many preventive screenings — are covered at no cost to patients. But, if more testing is needed to figure out what’s wrong, you could be charged hundreds or even thousands of dollars for diagnostic services. Article Link

Colonoscopy Surprise Bills Should Be Thing of the Past, Experts Say

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 19, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Big surprise bills for any colonoscopy done after a positive result from a stool-based screening test will be prevented under new federal rules, a group of U.S. medical organizations say.  Article Link

No more surprise bills: Private insurance plans must cover full colorectal cancer screening continuum

Washington, DC (January 13, 2022) – On Jan. 10, 2022, the Biden Administration issued guidance requiring private insurers to cover colonoscopy when needed as a follow-up to a non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test.  Article Link

RI’s Top Legislators Discuss Budget and End of Session Priorities

PROVIDENCE, June 17, 2021 ─ This year’s session of the Rhode Island General Assembly has been unique. This session has seen the passage of a number of significant bills before the final days — less horse-trading and more policy.  Article Link

Gov. Abbott signs lifesaving bill

KYLE, June 9, 2021 ─ Governor Greg Abbott recently passed a bill that is geared toward getting more Texans tested for colorectal cancer – an effort that is expected to save thousands of lives.  Article Link

Texas Legislature votes unanimously to ensure access to affordable colorectal cancer screenings

LAMPASAS, May 18, 2021 ─ Vote comes hours Following new recommendations by the United States Preventive Services Task Force to lower the age for colorectal screening. Article Link

This Week at the Rhode Island General Assembly

NEWPORT, April 30, 2021 ─ Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the Rhode Island General Assembly this week. Article Link

VIDEO NOW: Sen. Maryellen Goodwin on bill requiring health insurers to cover colorectal cancer screenings

PROVIDENCE, April 29, 2021 ─ Sen. Maryellen Goodwin, the legislation’s namesake, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2019 and has sponsored the bill since its inception. Article Link

‘This bill will save lives’: Ban on copays for colon cancer screening signed into law

PROVIDENCE, April 29, 2021 ─ Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin has been a regular at the Miriam Hospital every other week since her own colon cancer diagnosis in July 2019. Article Link

Letters to the editor: Colorectal cancer screening bills can save lives

AUSTIN, April 27, 2021 ─ Too many Texans avoid receiving lifesaving colorectal screenings due to a major financial barrier. Thankfully a key bill in the state legislature seeks to change this. As a cancer survivor and registered nurse, I’ve spoken in support of the issue with lawmakers. Article Link

This Week at the Rhode Island General Assembly

NEWPORT, April 17, 2021 ─ Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the Rhode Island General Assembly this week. Article Link

Cancer Patients and Survivors Host Week of Action to Reduce Cancer Burden

AUSTIN, April 6, 2021 ─ The unpredictable and dynamic nature of COVID-19 is no match for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) volunteers’ steadfast commitment. Cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers from across Texas traveled virtually to the state capitol last week to meet with over 60 Texas lawmakers about the need to address the high colorectal cancer mortality rates in the state with life-saving legislation. Article Link

Push to get more Rhode Islanders screened for colon cancer gains support

PROVIDENCE, March 31, 2021 ─ The push to get more Rhode Islanders screened for colon cancer is gaining support. Article Link

Kentucky General Assembly’s 2021 session ends

FRANKFORT, March 31, 2021 ─ The Kentucky General Assembly’s 2021 regular session was gaveled to a close this evening, ending a session in which lawmakers approved a state budget for the coming fiscal year and approved numerous other bills that will affect people throughout the state. Article Link

RI senator fights cancer on two fronts: legislatively and personally

PROVIDENCE, March 28, 2021 ─ Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin has been fighting cancer on two fronts: as a champion for years of no-cost colorectal cancer screening and, since July 2019, as a patient undergoing chemotherapy every two weeks. Article Link

Rep. Jamie Raskin speaks out on colorectal cancer screening guidelines

ALEXANDRIA, March 22, 2021 ─ Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), in partnership with the Prevent Cancer Foundation, is sharing his personal cancer story in support of new cancer screening guidelines. Article Link

RI Senate backs Goodwin bill that would require health insurers to cover colorectal cancer screenings

PROVIDENCE, March 23, 2021 ─ The Rhode Island Senate approved legislation Tuesday that would require insurance companies to completely cover the cost of colorectal cancer screenings. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Maryellen Goodwin, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in July 2019. Article Link

Ky. Gov. Beshear signs, vetoes multiple bills

CAPE GIRARDEAU, March 22, 2021 ─ Governor Andy Beshear signed and vetoed multiple bills on Monday, March 22. Article Link

General Assembly has passed more than 35 health bills; several more could get passed, and a few are dead until next year

LONDON, March 22, 2021 ─ Kentucky legislators have passed more than 35 health-related bills, addressing a range of topics such as health departments and pensions, substance-use disorder, immunizations, insurance co-payments and Alzheimer’s disease. Article link

Senate panel tackles high cost of prescription drugs

WARWICK, March 18, 2021 — In the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, as Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island General Assembly move to hammer out a Fiscal Year 2022 budget, Senate lawmakers push a package of eight legislative proposals to put the brakes on skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. Article link

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Larry Teague

LITTLE ROCK, March 19, 2021 — The Senate passed and sent to the House SB 309 to lower the age for colorectal cancer screenings that are covered by health insurance, from 50 to 45. Follow-up colonoscopies, if needed, would also be covered for people 45 and over. Article link

New law allows for earlier colorectal cancer screenings

INDIANAPOLIS, Jun 15, 2020 — Hundreds of Hoosier lives could be saved every year because insurance and health plans are now required to screen for one of the deadliest forms of cancer at a younger age. Article link

Killed bills: 9 measures Colorado lawmakers won’t vote on this year because of COVID-19

DENVER, June 1, 2020 — Rep. Jonathan Singer, a Longmont Democrat, said the House Public Health Care and Human Services Committee alone killed more bills in two hours than probably in the last two years combined. Article link

Feldman: Health-related hits and misses of the Indiana legislative session

SOUTH BEND, Apr 25, 2020 — This was billed as the health-focused Indiana legislative session with emphasis on increasing health-system transparency and reducing medical-care costs. There were health-related legislative advancements along with missed opportunities. Article link

Focusing in on Colorectal Cancer: Is 45 the New 50?

DENVER, March 26, 2020 — Awareness advocates, bill in state Legislature say: Yes it is. A pandemic stole Alba Wilson-Axpe’s chance at the podium recently. But when the Colorado Legislature re-opens its doors to the public, odds are high the 14-year-old will be back to testify. Article link

Utility, public safety and cancer bills head to the governor

INDIANAPOLIS, March 4, 2020 — The Indiana General Assembly has moved into the final days of the 2020 legislative session, which means finalizing bills before being sent to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his signature. Article link

Health insurance bills take incremental steps toward better coverage

Colorado Springs, February 27, 2020 — When it comes to health care in Colorado, two controversial proposals from Democratic lawmakers have hogged a great deal of the spotlight. One critical priority: A new, government-run public option for individual insurance. A bill to implement such an option hasn’t been introduced yet, though the state released a report with recommendations in November. Article link

Driving, public defender and cancer bills advance in legislature

INDIANAPOLIS, February 12, 2020 — Legislation covering specialized driving privileges, indigent criminal defendants and colorectal cancer screenings advanced in the Indiana General Assembly Wednesday as lawmakers begin the second half of the session. Article link

Distracted driving, insulin and cancer screening bills advance

INDIANAPOLIS, February 18, 2020 — Distracted driving, cancer screening and insulin bills were among those that advanced in the General Assembly Tuesday as 2020 session moves closer to a mid-March finish. Article link

Breakfast With Legislators Well Attended Friday Morning

BEDFORD, February 29, 2020 — House Bill 1080 will require insurance companies to pay for colonoscopies at the age of 45. This law will mandate coverage for colorectal cancer testing under accident and sickness insurance policies, health maintenance organization contracts and state employee health plans to change the minimum age at which coverage must be provided from 50 years of age to 45 years of age. Article link

Tackling colorectal cancer requires changing law and mindsets

PUEBLO, February 12, 2020 — Let’s talk about cancer. In fact, let’s make it really awkward and talk about colorectal cancer. Let’s assume you’d rather not have it and imagine most people over 50 had the power to make sure they don’t get it. And, yet around five out of 10 Coloradans in their 50s who are eligible for preventive screening don’t bother. Well, it’s an old man’s disease, so why should they? Article link