In Recognition of Father's Day Norton Introduces Prostrate Cancer Medicaid Coverage Act (6/18/09)
In Recognition of Father's Day Norton Introduces Prostate Cancer Medicaid Coverage Act
June 18, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In recognition of Father's Day this weekend, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced her Prostate Cancer Medicaid Coverage Act of 2009. The bill will allow treatment using Medicaid funds for low-income men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer to match similar coverage available since 1999 for low income women. Convinced by the inconsistency of promoting screening while leaving many unable to get treatment, Congress passed a law to allow use of Medicaid for treatment of breast and cervical cancer for low-income women who may otherwise not qualify for Medicaid. "We want to encourage men to seek diagnosis and help them access treatment," Norton said. The program would target men who are low-income, uninsured, or underinsured who, nevertheless do not qualify for Medicaid. "Prostate cancer outranks breast cancer as the second most common occurring cancer in the U.S. and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men," she added.
The District has the highest rate of prostate cancer in the nation, and the disease is particularly widespread among African American men, who suffer the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world. Major factors for prostate cancer include age, family history of certain cancers, use of tobacco, eating habits, obesity, lack of exercise, exposure to radiation or other cancer-causing agents, and certain genetic changes. According to the American Cancer Society, about 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 2009 throughout the country, and about one man in every six will be diagnosed with the disease in his lifetime. Currently, Medicaid provides coverage for an annual Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test for all men 50 and older but many low-income men, who do not meet the Medicaid income requirements, cannot be treated. Norton's bill will close the treatment gap for low-income men of all ages who need Medicaid but are not eligible and cannot afford private insurance. Unlike cervical and breast cancer, prostate cancer often does not require surgery and Norton believes it will be less costly.
"Although race is a factor, every man over the age of 50 is at risk of developing prostate cancer and should be screened," Norton said in introducing her bill today. "Veterans that have been exposed to Agent Orange also have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer," she added. "Many doctors recommend yearly screening for men over age 50, and some advise men who are at risk for prostate cancer to begin screening at age 40 and 45."