First state-based policy to address early-age onset of colorectal cancer signed into law

By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

Gov. Andy Beshear has signed a bill into law that will help more Kentuckians get colon cancer screenings.

“Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States, and it is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women combined,” Beshear said at the April 2 bill signing ceremony. “So when we have more screenings, we save more lives. . . . 60% of colon cancer deaths could be prevented through regular screenings, that’s six out of every 10 people we lose could still be here with us today.”

House Bill 421, sponsored by Rep. Amy Neighbors, R-Edmonton, requires health benefit plans to provide coverage for all colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests specified in the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer guidelines. This includes ensuring that high-risk individuals, such as those with a family history of the disease, or early-onset cases receive screenings much earlier as recommended by these guidelines.

The bill also ensures coverage for all U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved bowel preparations used for the examination and removes prior authorization requirements for them.

“As a survivor of early-age onset colorectal cancer, this fight is personal to me,” Neighbors said. “I know firsthand the importance of catching this disease early, and with House Bill 421, we are making sure that high-risk individuals have the access they need when they need it.”

Neighbors said, “We are setting a precedent for other states to follow and we are doing it together with overwhelming bipartisan support, with the backing of healthcare professionals throughout the commonwealth.”

Dr. Whitney Jones, founder of the Colon Cancer Prevention Project, said this bill allows Kentucky to “go on the offense” when it comes to the prevention of colon cancer.

“We have the highest number per capita of high-risk patients compared to any other state in the nation,” Jones said. “So it’s fitting that we would implement the most advanced and proactive, high-risk legislation and guidelines for screening in the nation.”

He also emphasized the bill’s national significance in a news release, saying, “HB 421 is the nation’s first state-based policy that proactively combats early age onset colorectal cancer by ensuring risk-based screenings are covered and patients have access to the most effective prep available.”