Posted: | December 21, 2022 10:42 AM |
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From: | Representative Jeanne McNeill |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Insurance Coverage for Prostate Cancer Screenings |
One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, making the disease one of the most common forms of cancer among men. Further, prostate cancer can lay dormant for up to 20 years without symptoms, increasing the chance that a person may be sick without realizing it until it is too late. And while screenings exist in the form of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests and digital rectal examinations (DREs), too many individuals do not have access. It is for these reasons that I plan to introduce legislation to require the insurance coverage of prostate cancer screenings. Under my bill, an insurer will be required to provide access to PSA blood tests and DREs annually to those identified as being at average or high risk of prostate cancer. These screenings would be administered under the screening guidelines provided by the American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer is a deadly illness that affects our husbands, fathers and brothers. By requiring coverage in insurance policies, we ensure that our friends and family receive the proper care they deserve early enough before it is too late. I believe in access to quality health care. Let us work together to protect the residents of Pennsylvania from this terrible illness. Please consider co-sponsoring this much needed legislation. |
Introduced as HB531