Congress needs to remove obstacle to colonoscopies

Editor:

Congress has an opportunity to stand up for seniors by closing the Medicare loophole that currently can put up a financial barrier to access life-saving colonoscopies.

While individuals on private health care plans have the procedure covered as a preventive service, a loophole exists that allows individuals on Medicare to be charged for their screening if a polyp is found and removed during the procedure.

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among men and women combined in the United States, yet it is preventable and curable with regular screening.

In fact, if everyone over the age of 50 received recommended colon cancer screenings, we could prevent half of all colorectal cancer deaths.

That’s why I recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to thank Congressman Jim Renacci for supporting bipartisan legislation that would eliminate surprise costs and ensure seniors have the same access to colorectal cancer screening as those with private insurance.

Congress has the opportunity to remove an obstacle that deters older Americans from getting a colonoscopy.

In doing so, more seniors will be screened which means fewer cancer diagnoses and deaths.

Pam Manges

Cancer Action Network

Wooster

CREDIT: PAM MANGES