Catalyst in Texas

2021-2022 Catalyst Grantee

In September 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law legislation to help ensure access to colorectal cancer screening coverage for Texans at average-risk starting at age 45, and ensure that state-regulated insurance plans cover, with no cost-sharing, follow-up colonoscopies after an abnormal non-invasive stool test.  

Colorectal Cancer Screening in Texas

*Overall Percentage of Adults Who Are Up to Date with Colorectal Cancer Screening

Texas Grantees 

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Texas engages with elected and appointed officials, policymakers, and candidates to ensure that cancer remains a top priority in Texas. ACS CAN’s advocacy work is helping the American Cancer Society lead the fight for a world without cancer. 

Texas Colorectal Cancer Screening Coverage

Texas state law requires that all health plans issued on or after January 1, 2022 to cover all colorectal cancer examinations, preventive services, and laboratory tests assigned a grade of “A” or “B” by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for average-risk individuals which includes high-sensitivity guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT), fecal immunochemical test (FIT), stool DNA test (such as Cologuard), colonoscopy, CT colonography, and flexible sigmoidoscopy. This also includes an initial colonoscopy or other medical test or procedure for colorectal cancer screening and a follow-up colonoscopy if the results of the initial colonoscopy, test, or procedure are abnormal. 

Texas is the 22nd deadliest state for colorectal cancer in the U.S.

Relentless Champions in Texas

James Gray, MS

Managing Director, Government Relations, South Region, ACS CAN

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