Rep. Kenney fights to save cancer screenings from budget ax
Seattle lawmaker works with American Cancer Society to restore $900K to program
PRESS RELEASE
OLYMPIA – Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney knows firsthand the importance of cancer screenings.
That’s why the Seattle lawmaker and cancer survivor sprung into action when she heard plans to cut funding from the Colon Health Program, a screening program for the uninsured, was among Governor Christine Gregoire’s current-year budget reductions.
“This program is absolutely vital,” Kenney said. “As the economy worsens and more and more people lose their insurance along with their jobs, it becomes even more paramount to keep preventive measures in place.”
Kenney worked hand-in-hand with stakeholders from around the state to reinstitute the $900,000 that was cut from the budget last fall into Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1694. The funding will provide colon cancer screenings for those without insurance. The bill was signed by Governor Gregoire on February 18th.
“We appreciate Rep. Kenney and all her hard work for restoring the colon cancer screening program,” said Erin Dziedzic, the Director of Government Relations in Washington State for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “Colon cancer is preventable and the more people we can get screened, the more lives we can save.”
The program was originally cut from the budget in December before it ever got started. The House voted 1694 through on Feb. 2 and the Senate, with the support of 175 cancer advocates who arrived to urge on the lawmakers, did so on Feb. 4.
“You can put aside all the information on the cost of caring for cancer patients, we’re all well aware of the expense,” Kenney said. “When it comes down to it, this was about preventing what is a very treatable disease if it is caught early.”
Also making news Friday was the release of the Colorectal Cancer Legislation Report Card, which issued an A grade to the state of Washington, thanks in part to the reinstitution of the state’s Colon Health Program and HB 1337.
That bill, which Kenney sponsored in 2007, deemed that disability insurance contracts and health benefit plans must cover colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests.
The report card is compiled by a coalition of 11 leading public health groups and medical professional societies throughout the country.
Colon cancer can be prevented. If you’re 50 or older talk to your doctor about getting tested.
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