Uninsured colorectal screenings

A colorectal screening program for the uninsured and underinsured would be created, under a bill receiving an informational hearing by the House Health and Human Services Committee April 15.

Sponsored by Rep. Maria Ruud (DFL-Minnetonka), HF2890 would provide colorectal cancer screening follow-up services for abnormal tests and diagnostic services for eligible individuals. An applicant would have to:

• be at least 50 years of age, or under age 50 and at high risk for colon cancer;

• be uninsured, have insurance that does not cover routine colorectal cancer screenings, or be unable to pay the deductible or co-payment; and

• have a gross family income at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level.

If an enrollee screened under the program is diagnosed with cancer, the treatment would be covered by medical assistance if they are uninsured or have insurance that doesn’t cover treatment.

“I have a strong family history of colon cancer,” Ruud said, noting her mother, brother and grandmother all had colon cancer.

The bill is modeled after the Minnesota cancer screening program that provides breast and cervical cancer screenings for qualified women, she said.

Dr. David Perdue, a gastroenterologist at the University of Minnesota, said colon cancer is the third-most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. In Minnesota there are 2,600 new cases each year, resulting in the deaths of about 950 people, he said.

There was no opposition to the bill.

A companion bill, SF2698, sponsored by Sen. Kathy Sheran (DFL-Mankato), awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.