Capitol Hill Briefs
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Colon cancer screening bill introduced in House: Reps. Kay Granger, R-Texas, and Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., sponsor legislation to provide $725 million over five years for colorectal cancer screening. H.R. 1189, introduced Feb. 25, would provide grants to states for colorectal cancer screening of people over 50 and others at high risk, plus additional diagnostic and treatment services for colorectal cancer. The bill would extend Medicaid benefits to pay for treatment of colorectal cancer or complications from colorectal screening. It asks for $50 million in FY 2009, ramping up annually to $250 million in FY 2013. States would match the federal grants with $1 for every $3 of federal funds provided. The bill was referred to House Energy and Commerce