US Senate Passes Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act

The US Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committeehas passed the Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act (S.710), legislation introducedby Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC) and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass). The bill, withthe companion HR 1520 being mulled by the US House of Representatives, wouldrequire all private health insurance plans to cover colon cancer screeningaccording to scientific guidelines for patients age 50 and over and for othersat high risk of developing the disease.

In a statement, the American Cancer Society noted, "It isup to Congress to ensure that the barriers to life-saving colon cancerscreenings tests are removed. . . The bottom line is that this Act can helpprolong lives and prevent the pain and anguish cancer causes."