Advocacy Victories
Advocacy victories come in many forms and we celebrate them all! Each win, each step forward, no matter how small, is important. Your voice matters.
November 2022
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the proposed rule to remove out-of-pocket costs for a necessary colonoscopy after a positive noninvasive screening test for Medicare beneficiaries. Additionally, the rule will lower the minimum age of colorectal cancer screening to 45, consistent with the American Cancer Society and the United States Preventive Services Task Force colorectal cancer screening recommendations. These changes will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
November 2022
Colorectal screening is now available at participating Kentucky pharmacies. "Kentucky's pharmacists and health insurers have teamed up to offer what they say is the nation's first "pharmacist-led colorectal cancer screening via a non-invasive stool-based test."
July 2022
Fight CRC convened a group of colorectal cancer screening advocacy and business leaders to meet with officials from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Office of the First Lady to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to colorectal cancer screening in response to the President’s Cancer Moonshot.
July 2022
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule that, when finalized, will remove out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries needing a colonoscopy after a positive non-invasive test.
May 2022
Fight CRC’s President, Anjee Davis, traveled to Washington, DC to be a voice for the colorectal cancer community at the White House’s Cancer Moonshot Goals Forum.
April 2022
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts signed legislation into law to ensure access to colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45.
March 2022
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed legislation into law to remove out-of-pocket costs for patients needing a follow-up colonoscopy following a positive non-invasive test.
March 2022
Fight CRC hosted the first-ever colorectal cancer installation on the National Mall, planting over 27,000 blue flags to bring awareness to the growing number of young people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
January 2022
The Biden Administration issued new guidance requiring private insurance plans to cover the full colorectal cancer screening continuum. Representatives of AGA, American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Fight CRC met with regulators last fall and urged them to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for patients who require a colonoscopy following a positive non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test.
December 2021
Fight CRC hosted a Catalyst Grantee Meeting in Springfield, Missouri on December 2, 2021. Former, current, and new grantees participated in person and virtually. Grantees attended panels discussing data and advocacy, policy implementation, health equity, barriers and challenges to progress, and future opportunities for the Catalyst Program
December 2021
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services added Colorectal Cancer Screening to the CMS Medicaid Adult Core Set of Quality Measures for adoption in 2022.
October 2021
Californians will now have coverage for the full spectrum of colorectal cancer screening, including the necessary colonoscopy following a positive non-invasive screening test.
June 2021
In June, Texas passed legislation to begin screening for CRC at age 45 and remove out-of-pocket costs for a colonoscopy following a positive non-invasive screening test.
May 2021
The United States Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) accepted draft language, and lowered the colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45 for average risk individuals.
April 2021
A huge month for Catalyst states, with legislation passed in Kentucky, Arkansas, and Rhode Island to cover genetic testing, screen at age 45, and eliminate out-of-pocket costs for a colonoscopy following a non-invasive screening test.
December 2020
We never gave up and we never backed down. For eight years, Fight CRC champions have asked Members of Congress to pass the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Screening Act, nicknamed the “Medicare Loophole” bill! Our hard work has paid off. It’s time to celebrate. The bill has passed!
March 2020
Advocates sent over 4,000 emails to Congress urging them to support funding for colorectal cancer research and screening during Fight CRC’s first-ever Virtual Call-on Congress.
March 2020
40 states along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico issued proclamations to name March Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!
February 2020
President Trump includes fixing the “Medicare loophole” in his Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Request
2020
Fight CRC President Anjee Davis appointed to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Gastrointestinal Cancer Steering Committee
December 2019
Secured $2.6 billion increase for National Institutes of Health (NIH), ~$100 million increase for NCI, $20 million increase for Department of Defense’s Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program (DoD PRCRP), and continued funding for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CDC’s CRCCP).
December 2019
FY20 Appropriations bill included language directing the NCI and CDC to identify causes and risk factors for early-age onset colorectal cancer.
2019
Fight CRC President Anjee Davis appointed to NCI’s Council of Research Advocates
December 2019
Medicare loophole bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives
October 2019
PGA TOUR Professional Tom Lehman meets with the President at the White House to discuss access to colorectal cancer screening
October 2018
Legislation signed into law allowing cancer patients in active treatment to defer student loan payments.
March 2018
The NIH and NCI receive the largest increase in funding in over a decade!
December 2017
Fight CRC met with NCI Director, Dr. Ned Sharpless to discuss the needs of the colorectal cancer community.
March 2017
Fight CRC along with our partners in the patient community defeat efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and its patient protections.
December 2016
21st Century Cures Act, legislation to accelerate medical research and innovation, becomes law.
2015
Fight CRC President Anjee Davis appointed to the NCI Colon Task Force.
2014
Fight CRC participated in a White House meeting and press conference to launch 80% by 2018 campaign for colorectal cancer screening.
2013
Fight CRC Founder, Nancy Roach, appointed to Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Mandated Cancer Research Program Integration Panel.
2010
Colorectal cancer becomes eligible for the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program.