PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA

Un acuerdo bipartidista y bicameral impulsa el cáncer colorrectal como prioridad absoluta al unirse sus miembros para reintroducir la "Ley para eliminar las barreras al cribado del cáncer colorrectal"

Alexandria, Va. – March 4, 2015 – Colorectal cancer is a national priority and this week Congress recognized the importance of screening and prevention. Members from both parties and chambers united to re-introduce the “Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act” (H.R. 1220 & S. 624) – a bill that seeks to remove a Medicare loophole that results in unexpected expenses for seniors receiving colonoscopy screenings.

Although colonoscopy screening is covered for seniors on Medicare at no charge as a routine screening procedure, if a physician detects a polyp and removes it, the procedure becomes ‘diagnostic’ and seniors may face an unexpected bill upon completion of the colonoscopy. This bill seeks to remove this cost barrier that is preventing some from receiving lifesaving prevention.

"El cáncer colorrectal es prevenible, y el 60% de las muertes podrían evitarse con el cribado; sin embargo, sigue siendo la segunda causa de muerte por cáncer en EE.UU.", afirmó Anjee Davis, presidenta de Fight Colorectal Cancer. "Es fundamental que se solucione esta laguna jurídica de Medicare, que está cobrando a algunos ancianos costes adicionales e inesperados, para que desaparezca este obstáculo que les impide someterse a las pruebas de detección. Tenemos la esperanza de que este Congreso sea el que convierta este proyecto en ley."

Anteriormente, los proyectos de ley (H.R. 1070 y S. 2348) recibieron 158 copatrocinadores en la Cámara de Representantes y 15 en el Senado. En el actual 114º Congreso, los Reps. Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Charles Dent (PA-15), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Michael Fitzpatrick (PA-8) y los senadores Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ben Cardin (D-MD) y Susan Collins (R-ME), se han unido para volver a presentar los proyectos de ley.

"Ninguna persona mayor con ingresos fijos debería tener que elegir entre su salud y la compra de alimentos". dijo el congresista Payne, Jr. “But under the current Medicare cost-sharing structure, many seniors are faced with unreasonably high costs that deter them from receiving cancer screenings.

I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to remove barriers and increase accessibility for Medicare beneficiaries seeking life-saving colorectal cancer screenings and treatment,” añadió el congresista Payne, Jr. "Aplaudo a la comunidad del cáncer colorrectal por sus esfuerzos para aumentar la concienciación sobre este importante tema, y espero que nuestra colaboración continúe en el 114º Congreso."

Advocates from Fight Colorectal Cancer will be on the Hill March 16-18 for the organization's 9th Call-on Congress to request member support. For more information, visit our call on congress page. Advocates interested in getting involved with Fight CRC advocacy initiatives are encouraged to register on our defensa página.

Acerca de la lucha contra el cáncer colorrectal

Fight Colorectal Cancer is a leading colorectal cancer nonprofit in Washington, D.C. Through patient education, advocacy and involvement in research the group spreads awareness and demands a cure for the second-leading killer in the United States. As the leading advocacy group, the organization serves as a resource for colorectal cancer patients, grassroots advocates, policy makers, medical professionals and health care providers.

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