Area congressman part of older adult health screen bill
Rep. Richard Hudson, R-9th District, is a cosponsor of legislation being introduced in the House and Senate to increase access to early detection technology through Medicare coverage for a multiple number of cancers in older adults.
'Too often, families in North Carolina and across the country are devastated by a cancer diagnosis,' said Hudson, whose district covers Randolph County and Jamestown. 'By increasing access to multicancer early detection screening tests, we can catch cancers sooner and save lives.'
The Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act would allow for Medicare coverage of greater numbers of cancer early detection screenings once they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The expansion of the screenings through Medicare coverage would make a major difference since more than 70% of cancer diagnoses are in the Medicare population.
'We have the opportunity to chart a course that revolutionizes the ability to detect cancer in earlier stages, leading to lives and families saved,' said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. 'It's time to seize that opportunity and ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to multi-cancer early detection tests following FDA approval.'
Advocates rolled out the proposal this week on Capitol Hill. The cosponsors of the bill include liberal Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, and Michael Bennett, D-Colorado, and conservative Sens. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho.
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