Healey Signs Bill to Address Breast Cancer Screening Inequities
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Trista Hargrove
Director, Media Advocacy
Legislation Aimed at Eliminating Financial Barriers to Prostate Cancer Screening Introduced in the House
Bipartisan legislation would waive prostate cancer screening cost-sharing for at-risk populations
March 29, 2023
Washington, D.C., March 29, 2023 - Yesterday, H.R. 1826, the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men (PSA Screening for HIM) Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Larry Buschon for support and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) with Representatives Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL) and Troy Carter (D-LA) as original cosponsors. This bipartisan legislative proposal would waive cost-sharing requirements for men with the highest risk of prostate cancer, focusing on Black men and those with a family history of the disease. The bill was previously introduced in the House by now-retired Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) and Representative Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.) in the 117th Congress.
If the bill passes, men at an increased risk of developing prostate cancer would be able to receive prostate cancer screenings without deductibles, copayments, or coinsurances. Early detection is critical for positive prostate cancer outcomes: if the disease is caught early, there is a nearly 100% chance of survival. When the disease is caught in its advanced stages, however, the likelihood of survival drops to just 31%.
ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer, the American Urological Association (AUA), and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are ongoing supporters of the bill and are working to pass legislation at both the state and national levels to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for prostate cancer screening.
“The PSA for HIM Act is a lifesaving piece of legislation that would significantly impact high-risk groups for prostate cancer for the better. Removing barriers such as financial roadblocks makes early detection more accessible and affordable for men, and helps save lives”, said Jamie Bearse, ZERO’s President and CEO. “ZERO is thankful to Representatives Buschon and Clarke for their continued support and work in the fight against prostate cancer.”
For the at-risk populations included in the legislation, this development could be critical to their likelihood of survival. According to a new American Cancer Society report, Black men are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with and over twice as likely to die from prostate cancer when compared to White men. The incidence of prostate cancer among Black men is 73% higher than in White men.
“As the largest urologic member organization in the world, the AUA is happy to support the reintroduction of the PSA for HIM Act,” said Robert Bass, M.D., the American Urological Association’s Legislative Affairs Committee Chair. “This legislation would increase access to prostate cancer screenings for certain men in high-risk populations by removing the cost-sharing burden imposed by insurers. By removing such a barrier, this legislation could help save thousands of lives each year.”
This legislation is one of the many ways ZERO, the AUA, and ACS CAN are engaged in combating the longstanding health inequities within prostate cancer. And, for men that have a family history of prostate cancer, a diagnosis is twice as likely compared to the average population.
“All who are at high-risk for prostate cancer and decide to move forward with screening after an informed decision-making discussion with their health care provider should have access to that screening with no required cost sharing,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “No one should be at a disadvantage against cancer. The PSA for HIM Act will help remove barriers to prostate cancer screening. We will continue to push for policy solutions that help reduce health disparities across all cancers and end cancer as we know it, for everyone.”
In addition to this legislation at the national level, ZERO, AUA, and ACS CAN are also working to increase access to prostate cancer screenings at the state level. Most recently, bills were introduced in California and Texas that would ensure screening is available without co-pays or other cost-sharing. Last year, Illinois passed legislation to make prostate cancer screening available without co-pays or other cost-sharing, which will go into effect in 2024. Illinois will follow in the footsteps of New York, which in January of 2019 became the first state in the country to pass a law that supports full insurance coverage of the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, as well as Maryland and Rhode Island, all of which have eliminated co-pays or cost-sharing fees for prostate cancer screening.
For more information on advocacy efforts regarding prostate cancer across the nation, visit zerocancer.org/advocacy.
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