Pa. House advances bill to expand coverage for colorectal cancer screenings

HARRISBURG — Members of the Pennsylvania House overwhelmingly voted Wednesday in support of a bill proposing to reduce the age when colorectal cancer screenings are covered by health insurers, dropping it by five years to age 45.

House Bill 1123 advanced out of the House on a 197-6 vote. It now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

The state Senate notably moved legislation that became Act 1 of 2023, which waived out-of-pocket costs for patients in need of certain genetic testing and supplemental screenings for those at high risk of developing breast cancer. Companion bills are pending in both chambers that would expand such coverage for anyone of at least average risk.

The measure on colorectal cancer screenings would amend the Insurance Company Law to lower the age from 50 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.

According to the Pennsylvania Cancer Coalition, approximately 6,900 diagnoses of colorectal cancer are made annually, with an estimated 2,600 associated deaths.

Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Philadelphia, is the prime sponsor of HB1123. He's also a survivor of colorectal cancer. He was diagnosed in 2020.

"As of two months ago, I was given a full clean bill of health," Gallagher said to a chorus of cheers. "This is a treatable and preventable disease, and this will help make a step forward in the right direction to save lives."