July 10, 2002 WASHINGTON (AP) -- Health insurers would be required to cover regular colon cancer screenings for people who are over 50 or are at high risk for the disease under a bill approved by a Senate committee Wednesday.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee recommended the bill by a 16-5 vote after a lengthy debate.
Some Republicans had argued that the proposal amounted to a mandate that would drive up already escalating health costs. They also feared it would open the door to mandating that insurers cover other health screenings.
"We don't know if there is even a problem with regards to insurance coverage," said Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H. "Many health plans actively promote cancer screenings. This bill is a benefits mandate which raises premiums."
Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., a surgeon, questioned whether the government should "go into this unprecedented arena of taking a specific test and mandating that the private sector must cover it."
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., the committee chairman, noted that President Bush recently underwent a colon screening and was encouraging Americans over 50 to do the same.
"Our legislation will allow millions of Americans at risk to take the president's sound advice," Kennedy said.
The House has not acted on a companion bill introduced by Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y.
According to the American Cancer Society, 56,600 Americans will die this year from colon cancer, the second leading cause of all cancer deaths.
"It is up to Congress to ensure that the barriers to the lifesaving colon cancer screenings tests are removed," the society said in a statement.
Republican Sens. Tim Hutchinson of Arkansas, Susan Collins of Maine, Pat Roberts of Kansas, Mike DeWine of Ohio and John Warner of Virginia voted with committee Democrats in favor of the bill.
Copyright 2002 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
