Bill proposing to drop age for colorectal cancer screenings clears Pa. House panel

HARRISBURG — The age for colorectal cancer screenings to be covered by health insurers would shrink by five years under legislation that drew unanimous support Tuesday in the Pennsylvania House.

The House Insurance Committee voted unanimously to advance House Bill 1123 closer to a floor vote.

The bill would amend the Insurance Company Law to lower the age to 45 for non-symptomatic people to be covered for colorectal screenings without cost-sharing. It's based on revisions to the American Cancer Society's guidelines from 2018. The state law was last amended in 2008 concerning colorectal screenings.

Additionally, the measures would add tests for coverage, including CT colonography, fecal immunochemical test and a multi-target stool DNA test. Coverage would also extend to follow-up colonoscopies after a positive test.

House Appropriations Chair Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia, added a personal account of the importance of early detection. He spoke of his wife, Tiffany, who died Sept. 7, 2024, following a 16-month battle against colorectal cancer.

"Her loss remains one of the most profound," Harris told committee members before pausing, checking his emotions as he breathed deeply and continued, "one of the most profound moments of my life. Tiffany was 36 when she passed. She died way too young."

Citing data from the American Cancer Society, Harris said more than 6,500 Pennsylvanians will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year. Early detection produces a 90% survival rate, he said; however, the diagnoses of people under age 50 grew by 50% in one year.

Harris spoke, too, of disproportionate rates of diagnoses and death in Black and brown communities that he said are attributable to barriers to preventative care.

"Some would say she lost her battle with cancer. As a Christian, I believe she didn't lose a battle but won healing on the other side," he said. "And, I sit here today still deeply heartbroken by that loss. But the battle continues with legislation like this that can ensure that no other family has to go through the same thing."

The Pennsylvania General Assembly moved in 2023 to enact Act 1 of 2023 to waive out-of-pocket costs for patients in need of certain genetic testing and supplemental screenings for those at high risk of developing breast cancer.

That effort expanded this year with legislation moving in both the House and Senate to expand coverage of supplemental screenings and diagnostic exams for anyone with at least average risk. Lawmakers and advocates marked the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the State Capitol on Tuesday by tinting water in the Capitol Fountain pink.

Rep. Tina Pickett, R-Bradford/Wyoming, noted the work to expand coverage for breast cancer screenings and supported the same for colorectal cancer.

"Given the effectiveness of colon cancer screenings and tests, it's very important that state law keeps pace with national standards," Pickett said.

"I, too, share in the concern and disparity between Black and brown communities and the reflection within policies presented that need updating," added Rep. Robert Leadbeter, R-Columbia, who identified himself as a Filipino-American and said his dad is fighting a cancer battle.