Letter: Washington lawmakers support legislation to increase colorectal cancer screenings, save lives and money
Washington’s seniors on Medicare are one step closer to being able to access lifesaving colorectal cancer screenings, thanks to the support of Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and Rep. Dan Newhouse.
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the country — killing about 900 Washingtonians yearly. Half these deaths could be prevented if everyone over age 50 received the recommended colon cancer screening. High co-payments and other financial barriers deter many people from these lifesaving screenings. And, Medicare patients can wake up to an unexpected co-pay if a polyp is found during their routine colonoscopy.
As CEO of Tri-Cities Community Health, I’m glad my members of Congress are co-sponsoring the “Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act,” which will remove this loophole for Medicare patients. I hope Washington’s other lawmakers will follow their lead and endorse this lifesaving bill.
Al Cordova, Kennewick
This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Letter: Washington lawmakers support legislation to increase colorectal cancer screenings, save lives and money."