Kathy Williams of Holley recently traveled to Washington, DC along with more than 400 American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers from across the country to urge Congress to support lifesaving policies that help people prevent and fight cancer. The group of passionate volunteers, many of them cancer survivors like Williams, called on lawmakers to protect federal funding for cancer research and prevention programs, co-sponsor legislation to improve patient quality of life and remove cost barriers to colorectal cancer screenings for seniors.
At Williams’ meeting with Congressman Chris Collins, he made it clear that he would vote to increase funding for cancer research and prevention programs at the National Cancer Institute and for prevention programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
They also discussed the colorectal cancer screening loophole in Medicare. With Medicare, a patient undergoing a routine screening colonoscopy could wake up to a surprise bill of $300 or more if a polyp is found during the procedure. The minute the polyp was discovered, the procedure transformed from a screening to a diagnostic procedure. Congressman Collins has assured me that he will co-sponsor HR 1070, the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act.
Williams knows she made a difference in Washington. She encourages everyone to get involved and make your voice heard by visiting acscan.org.
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