Cover Your Butt
Hello Everyone!
I wanted to share with you that I visited Washington, DC last week and attended the 3rd annual call-on-congress with the Colo-rectal Cancer Coalition. I was able to meet with my congressman and senators (well, their staffers) in efforts to garner support for legislation expanding screenings for colo-rectal cancer, as well as, the creation of a research program at the Department of Defense dedicated to research on colo-rectal cancer. Their is currently legilation in the House that was re-introduced a few weeks ago. The resolution is H.R. 1189 and will hopefully pass soon. We need to get support from a few more congressmen and congresswomen prior to it leaving committee. It had a good shot at passage last session, however, the legislative session was cut short with the election year. Just a few days ago a Senate companion bill was introduced which will make the process of reaching the President much easier considering that companion bills can go to joint committee quicker. These are both bi-partisan resolutions. The House resolution was introduced by Kay Granger (R-TX) and Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), while the Senate resolution was introduced by Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Ted Kennedy (D-NH).
I had a great time meeting other patient advocates from around the country and we made some great progress. I am currently still working with my representatives' offices to seek their support on the two resolutions. With or without their support there is a great chance that this will become law this year. This will ensure colo-rectal screening programs for persons aged 50-64 (pre-Medicare), as well as, anyone younger deemed medically "at-risk." Colo-rectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. The average cost of a colonoscopy is about $900. The average cost of treatment for metastatic disease is $250,000. So, there is plenty of room for our health care dollars to be allocated more efficiently. When you think about our aging population, coupled with the fact Medicare screenings at age 65 and older usually find late stage disease which could have been caught and prevented earlier you can understand the significant cost saving advantages of expanding screening to the 50-64 age group. This does not even include those who are younger and at-risk but lack health care coverage to cover such a preventive screening.
Anyway, I need your help! March 31rst there will be a Butt-In with Congress. Visit the link above to find out more. It is really simple. You just call the 800 number on March 31rst and you will enter information to directly connect you to your representatives. Then you can let them know that you would like their support on this very important legislation. Before hanging up you will be reconnected with the Butt-In to directly connect you to your next representative. It is really easy and such a great way to have your voice heard. Remember, by knowing me you have already been touched by this disease and, together, we can beat this terrible disease and keep it from affecting many other lives.
Thanks
Josh
P.S. If you need to be reminded about the Butt-In, then text BUTTIN to 30644 and you will be prompted on March 31rst about the call-in.
