New Legislation Proposed to Assist with Financial Barriers in Prostate Screening in Virginia January 27, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMEDIA CONTACT: Jessica Fetrow jessica.fetrow@zerocancer.org ZERO will support and lead advocacy in effort to zero out costs for prostate cancer screening Washington, D.C., Jan. 27, 2022 – ZERO Prostate Cancer is proud to support a lifesaving legislative effort in the state of Virginia that intends to increase access to prostate cancer screening by ensuring that screening is available without co-pays or other cost-sharing. This new proposed legislation, offered by Delegate Terry L. Austin (R-Botetourt), is part of ZERO’s “ZERO Cost to Prostate Cancer Screening Initiative” – an effort to make prostate cancer screening free and accessible to all men. Virginia HB 477 will eliminate copays, coinsurance, or deductibles for prostate cancer screening for “persons age 50 and over and to persons age 40 and over who are at high risk for prostate cancer,” in accordance with the most recent published guidelines of the American Cancer Society. This screening includes one PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test in a 12-month period and digital rectal examinations.“Eliminating out of pocket costs for prostate cancer screening removes a key barrier to early prostate cancer diagnosis – allowing more high risk men to be diagnosed at the early stages, when they are most likely to survive,” said Alison Manson, ZERO’s Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy. “Thanks to Delegate Austin, HB 477 will save the lives of men across the Commonwealth of Virginia and ZERO Prostate Cancer is proud to be a supporter of this bill.” The newly introduced bill is supported by a broad coalition of patient and provider groups including the American Urological Association, American Association of Clinical Urologists, and Medical Society of Virginia, amongst others.If the bill passes, Virginia will follow in the footsteps of New York, which in January of 2019 became the first state in the country to pass a law that supports full insurance coverage of the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, as well as Maryland and Rhode Island, all of which have eliminated co-pays or cost-sharing fees for prostate cancer screening.For more information on advocacy efforts regarding prostate cancer across the nation, visit zerocancer.org/advocacy. About ZERO Prostate CancerZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO) is on a mission to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, education, awareness, and support. Formerly known as the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, ZERO was founded in 1996 to stand up for people impacted by prostate cancer. Today, ZERO serves as the nation's leading prostate cancer organization, advancing a future where prostate cancer detection is early, support is unwavering, and care is accessible to all. For over 30 years, ZERO has led the way in prostate cancer advocacy, screenings, and partnerships, successfully unlocking funding toward breakthrough discoveries, treatments, and lifesaving access to care. As the nation’s #1 provider of prostate cancer resources, programs, and services, ZERO has supported millions of people at-risk or diagnosed, and their families. As the voice of the prostate cancer community, ZERO's urgent focus on breaking barriers to survival—by closing gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care—brings critical attention to those most likely to be impacted by this disease. Learn more at ZEROcancer.org Access to Healthcare Advocacy Press Release Screening & PSA Test More for you
New Legislation Proposed to Assist with Financial Barriers in Prostate Screening in Virginia January 27, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMEDIA CONTACT: Jessica Fetrow jessica.fetrow@zerocancer.org ZERO will support and lead advocacy in effort to zero out costs for prostate cancer screening Washington, D.C., Jan. 27, 2022 – ZERO Prostate Cancer is proud to support a lifesaving legislative effort in the state of Virginia that intends to increase access to prostate cancer screening by ensuring that screening is available without co-pays or other cost-sharing. This new proposed legislation, offered by Delegate Terry L. Austin (R-Botetourt), is part of ZERO’s “ZERO Cost to Prostate Cancer Screening Initiative” – an effort to make prostate cancer screening free and accessible to all men. Virginia HB 477 will eliminate copays, coinsurance, or deductibles for prostate cancer screening for “persons age 50 and over and to persons age 40 and over who are at high risk for prostate cancer,” in accordance with the most recent published guidelines of the American Cancer Society. This screening includes one PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test in a 12-month period and digital rectal examinations.“Eliminating out of pocket costs for prostate cancer screening removes a key barrier to early prostate cancer diagnosis – allowing more high risk men to be diagnosed at the early stages, when they are most likely to survive,” said Alison Manson, ZERO’s Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy. “Thanks to Delegate Austin, HB 477 will save the lives of men across the Commonwealth of Virginia and ZERO Prostate Cancer is proud to be a supporter of this bill.” The newly introduced bill is supported by a broad coalition of patient and provider groups including the American Urological Association, American Association of Clinical Urologists, and Medical Society of Virginia, amongst others.If the bill passes, Virginia will follow in the footsteps of New York, which in January of 2019 became the first state in the country to pass a law that supports full insurance coverage of the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, as well as Maryland and Rhode Island, all of which have eliminated co-pays or cost-sharing fees for prostate cancer screening.For more information on advocacy efforts regarding prostate cancer across the nation, visit zerocancer.org/advocacy.
About ZERO Prostate CancerZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO) is on a mission to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, education, awareness, and support. Formerly known as the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, ZERO was founded in 1996 to stand up for people impacted by prostate cancer. Today, ZERO serves as the nation's leading prostate cancer organization, advancing a future where prostate cancer detection is early, support is unwavering, and care is accessible to all. For over 30 years, ZERO has led the way in prostate cancer advocacy, screenings, and partnerships, successfully unlocking funding toward breakthrough discoveries, treatments, and lifesaving access to care. As the nation’s #1 provider of prostate cancer resources, programs, and services, ZERO has supported millions of people at-risk or diagnosed, and their families. As the voice of the prostate cancer community, ZERO's urgent focus on breaking barriers to survival—by closing gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care—brings critical attention to those most likely to be impacted by this disease. Learn more at ZEROcancer.org
