Booker, Watson Coleman, Fitzpatrick, Carter Introduce Bipartisan Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) along with U.S. Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Troy Carter (D-LA-02) introduced the Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation that will hold Medicare to the same standard of coverage as private health insurance companies by eliminating the coinsurance payment for colorectal cancer screening tests.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women combined. It is estimated that over 154,270 cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2025, and 52,900 people will die. Colorectal cancer is one of the only preventable cancers and is highly treatable when caught early. Colorectal cancer does not affect all Americans equally. The rate of colorectal cancer is 24% higher among Black men and 19% higher among Black women when compared to white men and women. Unfortunately, those that are disproportionally affected are also less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer, and as a result, are more likely to present with late stage, incurable disease. The rate of colorectal cancer deaths is 31.5% higher among Black men and 24.4% higher among Black women.

"Patients with colorectal cancer have the highest chances of survival if it is detected and treated early. Unfortunately, current Medicare rules may leave people with colorectal cancer with unexpected bills after receiving preventative screenings, discouraging life-saving care. Cost should never be a barrier to receiving health care. This bipartisan legislation will help close the gap in health outcomes and help encourage Medicare beneficiaries to get these vital screenings and ultimately save lives," said Senator Booker.

"Too many families know the heartbreak of losing a loved one to cancer that could have been caught earlier. Congressman Payne fought to make sure every community, regardless of income, had access to preventative care. We will carry that legacy on by eliminating a financial barrier that never should have existed in the first place" said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. "Advancing this legislation now is about equitable access to healthcare, it's about saving lives."

"Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers we can catch early and treat effectively, yet Medicare still penalizes patients for doing exactly that," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "The Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act closes a dangerous gap in coverage that discourages prevention, delays treatment, and costs lives. This isn't just a bipartisan fix in policy-it's a test of priorities: clinical integrity, fiscal responsibility, and moral urgency."

"Early detection saves lives, and no Medicare beneficiary should face unexpected costs for undergoing potentially life-savingcolorectal cancer screenings. This bill will encourage more Americans to get screened on time by removing cumbersome financial burdens. I am proud to cosponsor the Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act to ensure that preventative care is accessible, equitable, and prioritized-because when it comes to cancer prevention, cost should never stand in the way of care," said Congressman Carter, Sr.

The Senate bill is cosponsored by Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

To read the full text of the bill, click here.