Cancer Screening Coverage Act introduced in U.S. House

American Cancer Society
Friday, 1 June 2001

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Sue Kelly (R-NY) recently introduced the Cancer Screening Coverage Act of 1999, or CASCA, in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill is co-authored by the American Cancer Society and Rep. Maloney, and will be a "formidable umbrella to help us ensure that everyone with private health insurance receives standard cancer screenings if they are warranted," said the American Cancer Society's President Charles McDonald, MD.

The proposed law would require all private health insurance providers -- those operating under ERISA, group or individual plan guidelines -- to cover routine cancer screenings for breast, cervical, colo-rectal and prostate cancers. Provisions in CASCA are based on the guidelines of the Society and follow the Medicare cancer screening benefits as provided by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.

"The American Cancer Society advocates a comprehensive approach to the detection of cancers in their earliest stages. The Society believes that age-appropriate access to and coverage of early detection screening for breast, prostate, colo-rectal and cervical cancers must be provided to all individuals," McDonald added. "Although many insurance plans offer coordinated care for prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer, they also often attempt to keep costs low and restrict the number and type of services available. Currently, there are no federal laws requiring private health plans to cover early detection and screening costs for any type of cancer. This must change. Screening and early detection save lives and save medical dollars."

CASCA does not preempt more protective state provisions that have already been enacted. Also, the bill allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services some latitude to redefine coverage in response to new scientific advances and evidence.

Additional sponsors of the bill in the House are Rep. Ben Gilman (R-NY), Rep. Connie Morella (R-MD), Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), Rep. Bob Matsui (D-CA), Rep. Patsy Mink (D-HI), Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Rep. Martin Frost (D-TX), Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Rep. Max Sandlin (D-TX).

McDonald noted, "We are currently working with members of the U.S. Senate to try to garner support and sponsors as well. In the meantime, we strongly urge the House leadership to move forward on CASCA. Our nation must chart a new course, one that focuses on cancer prevention and early detection -- not just solely on struggling for a late-in-the-game, beat-the-buzzer cure. This bill is an important player in our full court press against cancer, and should be moved forward now."

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org