WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men (PSA Screening for HIM) Act was introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Representatives Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) with Representatives Greg Murphy (R-NC) and Troy Carter (D-LA) as cosponsors.
Last week, Senator John Boozman (R-AR) introduced S. 297, the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men (PSA Screening for HIM) Act in the United States Senate, along with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).
This bipartisan legislative proposal would waive cost-sharing requirements for men with the highest risk of prostate cancer, focusing on those with a family history of the disease. For men who have a family history of prostate cancer, a diagnosis is twice as likely compared to the average population.
If this bill passes, men at an increased risk of developing prostate cancer would be able to receive prostate cancer screening without deductibles, copayments, or coinsurances.
Broad Support for the PSA Screening for HIM Act
ZERO Prostate Cancer, the American Urological Association (AUA), and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are ongoing supporters of the bill and have worked to pass legislation at both the state and national levels to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for prostate cancer screening.
"For ZERO and our partners, it has always been about increasing access to life-saving prostate cancer screenings, and the PSA for HIM ACT does just that," said Courtney Bugler, ZERO's President and CEO. "We are thankful to Rep. Dunn and Rep. Clarke for picking up the mantle to reduce these financial barriers that will make early detection more accessible and affordable, ultimately saving lives."
For the high-risk populations included in the legislation, this development could be critical to their likelihood of survival. Early detection is key for positive prostate cancer outcomes: if the disease is caught early, there is a nearly 100% chance of survival. However, when the disease is caught in its advanced stages, the likelihood of survival drops to just 37%.
"The PSA Screening for HIM Act is a vital step toward improving access to life-saving prostate cancer screenings for those at the highest risk," said Mark Edney, MD, chair of the American Urological Association's Public Policy Council. "By removing financial barriers, this legislation will help ensure that prostate cancer is detected early when it is most treatable. The AUA strongly supports this bipartisan effort and commends Congress for prioritizing a policy that will save lives."
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. Black men in the U.S. have among the highest documented prostate cancer incidence rates in the world with 1 in 6 expected to be diagnosed during their lifetime, Black men are also more than twice as likely to die from the disease as White men.
"The PSA Screening for HIM Act would eliminate a significant hurdle that keeps far too many at high risk for prostate cancer from getting tested for the disease," said Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, interim chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. "We thank Reps. Dunn and Clarke for introducing this bill and look forward to working with them to get it passed."
State-Level Efforts Complement Federal Legislation
In addition to legislation at the federal level, ZERO, AUA, and ACS CAN are also working to increase access to prostate cancer screenings at the state level. Nine states currently guarantee coverage of prostate cancer screening without copays or other cost-sharing. Most recently, bills were passed in Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C.