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New Legislation Proposed to Assist with Financial Barriers in Prostate Screening in Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Jessica Fetrow 
jessica.fetrow@zerocancer.org  

ZERO will support and lead advocacy in effort to zero out costs for prostate cancer screening

Virginia state capital building

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 Cancer

ZERO Prostate Cancer is the leading national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer and help all who are impacted. ZERO advances research, provides support, and creates solutions to achieve health equity to meet the most critical needs of our community. From early detection to survivorship, ZERO is the premier resource for prostate cancer patients and their families to access comprehensive support, make meaningful connections, and take action to save lives. Our dedicated national and chapter staff is joined with a growing team of passionate volunteer champions to increase advocacy, awareness, and community engagement to ZERO out prostate cancer. ZERO is recognized with four out of four stars by Charity Navigator and accredited by the Better Business Bureau. ZERO spends more on programs than any other prostate cancer charity, dedicating 85 cents of every dollar to support, education, and research.

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