Bucks Lawmaker Calls For Expanding Insurance For Colonoscopies

HARRISBURG, PA — Bucks County state lawmaker Perry Warren, of Newtown, is calling for the state to update insurance laws to expand coverage for colonoscopies.

Warren, on Tuesday, joined State Reps. Pat Gallagher and Tarik Khan, both of Philadelphia, to introduce legislation that would update the laws while also raising colon cancer awareness.

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths even though it is a very treatable form of cancer when caught early. When detected in its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 90 percent.

The legislators said their bill would update Pennsylvania’s Insurance Company Law to reduce the age when colorectal cancer screenings are covered to 45 from 50.

Warren, who sits on the House Insurance Committee, related that he had a close family member who was tested early and was detected with colon cancer shortly after their 50th birthday.

"They had the benefit of working at a hospital and were able to make that appointment right on their 50th birthday and get immediate lifesaving treatment," said Warren. "But a lot of heartache, physical pain, and cost would have been saved had that person been able to have a colonoscopy at age 45 and perhaps it may not have even reached the stage of having colon cancer."

Current law requires health insurance coverage for routine colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 50 based on American Cancer Society standards published in 2008.

Multiple other states have updated their law to reflect more recent American Cancer Society guidelines from 2018. The updated recommendations call for people to begin screening at age 45 rather than 50.

"Let's raise awareness. Let's make this bill law," said Warren. "Let's have colonoscopies available to people at the age of 45 and as needed thereafter without prior authorizations so people know to make appointments to avoid the pain and the trauma other people have gone through."

Gallagher, who is a colorectal cancer survivor, said the legislation could result in more early detections and ultimately save lives.

“As a survivor of colorectal cancer, I know firsthand the impact that early detection and proper care can have on an individual's journey through the labyrinth of cancer,” Gallagher said. “This legislation is not just about updating insurance coverage; it's about saving lives and ensuring that no one has to face the challenges of colorectal cancer alone and that every Pennsylvanian, regardless of their circumstances, can access the screenings that could make all the difference.”

Khan, who serves as a nurse practitioner, said he encourages all his patients to get screenings.

“As a nurse practitioner, I encourage all my patients who qualify to get colon cancer screenings,” he said. “In fact, I even filmed myself getting a colonoscopy to increase awareness of this life-saving procedure. Tactics by insurance companies like prior authorizations and ‘advanced notice’ add needless barriers for patients. Our bill addresses these unnecessary obstacles for patients to access these important screenings.”

The legislators were joined by Dr. Benjamin Abella, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Anna Payne, a stage four colon cancer patient and a Middletown Township Supervisor; and Kim Hall-Jackson, a survivor of colorectal cancer and an advocate.

Payne thanked the lawmakers for introducing "this important and lifesaving legislation. Many of us, including myself, didn't think colon cancer was something you were at risk for until you were 50 years of age or older. I'm here to tell you that is not the case. Colon cancer is on the rise among young people, so much so that the age for screenings was recently lowered from 50 to 45.

"This legislation will ensure that people will be able to access a colonoscopy at age 45 with ease, cutting through the red tape and pre-authorizations that only delay a patient's ability to get screened," she said.

"I was diagnosed with stage four at age 34," said Payne. "There is no higher stage. It silently lived inside of me without me knowing it. I had over 10 spots on my liver alone when I was diagnosed and it took me a four day hospital stay to get that diagnosis. This is why colon cancer is considered a silent killer. It went undetected for years inside of me until stage four.

"Unfortunately, when cases are found in those of us below the screening age the cancer is usually found at a late stage," she continued. "When it is found at a later stage, especially stage four, there is only a 14 percent chance that that person will still be alive five years after diagnosis. I'm still hoping I beat that statistic.

"Finding it early is paramount to survival," said Payne. "When found early it is one of the most treatable cancers. Until the screening age is lowered, we have to be our own advocates. So I'm asking you, talk to your family and your friends and make sure if they are over the age of 45 they get screened. And if they are younger, help educate them about their elevated risk. I'm grateful for this legislation because I know it will save the lives of Pennsylvanians and I know it will allow people who are considered higher risk to have access to a life saving colonoscopy."