Congresswoman Watson Coleman Introduces Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act

Congresswoman Watson Coleman Introduces Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act

Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Troy Carter (LA-02), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-02) introduced the bipartisan Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act, legislation originally championed by the late Congressman Donald Payne Jr. The bill eliminates Medicare coinsurance requirements for colorectal cancer screening tests, ensuring that patients are not charged out-of-pocket costs for a diagnosis or procedure that results from a screening.

By eliminating this requirement, the bill will expand access to life-saving screenings and reduce the financial burden on patients seeking preventative cancer care.

A companion bill is being introduced in the Senate by Cory Booker of New Jersey.

"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."

"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.

"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."