New Legislation Proposed to Assist with Financial Barriers in Prostate Screening in Washington, D.C March 23, 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMedia Contact:Jessica Fetrow, Digital Media Coordinatorjessica.fetrow@zerocancer.org202-923-1113D.C. has highest per capita rate of prostate cancer deaths nationwide Washington, D.C., March 23, 2023 – A new lifesaving legislative effort was introduced this week in Washington, D.C., in an effort to increase access to prostate cancer screening for men in D.C. by ensuring that screening is available without co-pays or other cost-sharing. This newly proposed legislation, introduced by Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6), is part of ZERO Prostate Cancer’s “ZERO Cost to Prostate Cancer Screening Initiative” – an effort to make prostate cancer screening free and accessible to all men. 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.“Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for prostate cancer screening removes a key barrier to early prostate cancer diagnosis – allowing more patients to be diagnosed at the early stages when they are most likely to survive,” said Jamie Bearse, President and CEO of ZERO Prostate Cancer. “Thanks to Councilmember Allen, the Cost-Free Coverage for Prostate Cancer Screening Amendment Act of 2023 will save the lives of patients across the nation’s capital, which ranks first in the county for prostate cancer deaths per capita, and ZERO is proud to be a supporter of this bill.”The bill would require insurers to provide coverage for prostate cancer screening in accordance with evidence-based guidelines, to include no less than one prostate-specific antigen test and digital rectal exam per year. Insurers would also be prohibited from imposing any deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement when a patient receives a prostate-specific antigen test and digital rectal exam.“As with so much in health care, early detection is everything. It saves lives, improves treatment outcomes, and saves money when smaller interventions can lead to better outcomes,” said Councilmember Allen. “At the end of the day, a co-pay for a screening can keep someone from making that critical appointment. And we don’t want that – we need people regularly consulting with their doctor, evaluating their risks, and ultimately taking the necessary steps to keep them healthy, regardless of their income.”The bill was co-introduced by Councilmembers Henderson, Mendelson, Lewis George, Nadeau, Parker, Trayon White, Robert White, Frumin, Bonds, Pinto, and Gray.For more information on advocacy efforts regarding prostate cancer across the nation, visit zerocancer.org/advocacy. About ZERO Prostate CancerZERO 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. About Prostate Cancer Press Release Contributor Jessica Fetrow, Coordinator, Digital Media I’m as passionate about media relations as I am about Taylor Swift’s discography. Here to help with all your media needs! Learn more about Jessica More for you
New Legislation Proposed to Assist with Financial Barriers in Prostate Screening in Washington, D.C March 23, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMedia Contact:Jessica Fetrow, Digital Media Coordinatorjessica.fetrow@zerocancer.org202-923-1113D.C. has highest per capita rate of prostate cancer deaths nationwide Washington, D.C., March 23, 2023 – A new lifesaving legislative effort was introduced this week in Washington, D.C., in an effort to increase access to prostate cancer screening for men in D.C. by ensuring that screening is available without co-pays or other cost-sharing. This newly proposed legislation, introduced by Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6), is part of ZERO Prostate Cancer’s “ZERO Cost to Prostate Cancer Screening Initiative” – an effort to make prostate cancer screening free and accessible to all men. 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.“Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for prostate cancer screening removes a key barrier to early prostate cancer diagnosis – allowing more patients to be diagnosed at the early stages when they are most likely to survive,” said Jamie Bearse, President and CEO of ZERO Prostate Cancer. “Thanks to Councilmember Allen, the Cost-Free Coverage for Prostate Cancer Screening Amendment Act of 2023 will save the lives of patients across the nation’s capital, which ranks first in the county for prostate cancer deaths per capita, and ZERO is proud to be a supporter of this bill.”The bill would require insurers to provide coverage for prostate cancer screening in accordance with evidence-based guidelines, to include no less than one prostate-specific antigen test and digital rectal exam per year. Insurers would also be prohibited from imposing any deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement when a patient receives a prostate-specific antigen test and digital rectal exam.“As with so much in health care, early detection is everything. It saves lives, improves treatment outcomes, and saves money when smaller interventions can lead to better outcomes,” said Councilmember Allen. “At the end of the day, a co-pay for a screening can keep someone from making that critical appointment. And we don’t want that – we need people regularly consulting with their doctor, evaluating their risks, and ultimately taking the necessary steps to keep them healthy, regardless of their income.”The bill was co-introduced by Councilmembers Henderson, Mendelson, Lewis George, Nadeau, Parker, Trayon White, Robert White, Frumin, Bonds, Pinto, and Gray.For more information on advocacy efforts regarding prostate cancer across the nation, visit zerocancer.org/advocacy.
About ZERO Prostate CancerZERO 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.
