2021 is the Year of State Advocacy Victories!

Arkansas, Rhode Island, Texas, and Kentucky are part of Fight CRC’s Catalyst State-by-State Advocacy Program, which provides funding, technical support, and resources to state coalitions working to advance colorectal cancer policy. We lock arms with partners like the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and others to ensure colorectal cancer is a priority in state capitals.

In each of these states, advocates sent letters and emails and shared their stories with legislators to show them why this legislation is so important. And it made a big impact!

• Legislation in Kentucky was signed into law to ensure colorectal cancer screening and cancer risk genetic testing is covered for Medicaid patients.
• Also in Kentucky legislation was signed into law to allow funds from a special colorectal cancer license plate to be used towards screening and prevention.
• Legislation in Arkansas passed to ensure screening at 45 is covered and eliminates out-of-pocket costs for patients who need a colonoscopy following a positive non-invasive screening test.
• Legislation in Rhode Island passed to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for patients who need a colonoscopy following a positive non-invasive screening test such as FIT or Cologuard.
• Most recently, the Governor of Texas signed into law legislation that ensures access to colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45 and removes out-of-pocket costs for those needing a colonoscopy following a positive non-invasive screening test.

Whether you live in these states or not, take a moment to celebrate these victories with us! And if you don’t live in one of these states, check out our Catalyst Program to learn more about what is happening in your state or become an advocate!