Colon cancer is one of the leading types of cancer, and one of the most preventable, according to representatives of the American Cancer Society, Midwest Division. However, the uninsured or underinsured tend to avoid the costly screenings necessary to find and treat colon cancer.
HF293, sponsored by Rep. Maria Ruud (DFL-Minnetonka), would create a pilot study under the proposed Minnesota Colorectal Cancer Prevention Act to screen 200 patients at two hospitals: Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis and MeritCare in Bemidji. Both facilities have lists of eligible clients waiting for the screenings, Dave Arons, director of government relations for the American Cancer Society, Midwest Division, told the House Housing Finance and Policy and Public Health Finance Division March 10.
The division will consider the bill for possible inclusion in its omnibus bill. Its companion, SF366, sponsored by Sen. Kathy Sheran (DFL-Mankato), awaits action in the Senate Finance Committee.
Eligible patients would include people ages 50 to 65 who are at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level and who are not eligible for other medical assistance programs.
An estimated 25 percent of the 200 people screened could test positive for cancerous polyps, said Arons. Those patients would receive follow-up services through the bill’s yet-to-be-determined appropriation. The American Cancer Society would also contribute money toward the project.
At the conclusion of the study, the health commissioner and University of Minnesota School of Public Health would evaluate the project and make recommendations for future screening projects to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2011.
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Future of GAMC uncertain
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At Issue: More compromise, more reductions
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At Issue: Cuts hang in the balance
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Minnesota Index: Health boards
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At Issue: Medical marijuana
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Minnesota Index: Less lighting up
Figures and statistics on smoking in Minnesota
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