American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer Catherine Blackstone is one of many urging U.S. legislators to close the colonoscopy loophole, according to an article in The Logan Daily News.
Here's what you should know:
1. Medicare covers colonoscopies for beneficiaries unless a polyp is found and removed during the procedure. In that case, the colonoscopy is no longer covered because it becomes preventative.
2. Several organizations, including the American Gastroenterological Association, believe the colonoscopy loophole serves as a deterrent to CRC screening.
3. Ms. Blackstone visited Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, urging him to submit bipartisan legislation that would work to close the loophole.
4. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network has an active letter writing campaign, informing the public of issues such as the screening colonoscopy loophole through local newspapers.