Alaska Gov. Signs Bill Requiring Health Plans To Cover Colon Cancer Screening

Main Category: Colorectal Cancer
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 09 Aug 2006 - 18:00 PDT

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Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski (R) on Wednesday signed into law a bill requiring all state-regulated insurance policies to cover screenings for colon cancer, the AP/Anchorage Daily News reports. Colon cancer is the second-most deadly form of cancer in the U.S., though it can be prevented if caught during its early stages. Screenings for prostate, cervical and breast cancers already are covered under state-regulated plans. The colon cancer regulations were slow to be mandated because of lack of public awareness regarding the link between testing and prevention, Emily Nenon, government relations director at the American Cancer Society, said. The bill will take effect Jan 1. and apply to roughly a third of all insurance plans in the state (AP/Anchorage Daily News, 8/3).

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