Contact:
Krysta West
Communications Director
Senate Republican Office
(207) 287-1505
krysta.west@legislature.maine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate enacted LD 555, “An Act To Reduce Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Morality by Updating Screening Coverage,” after the bill received unanimous support in both the Maine Senate and House of Representatives.

This bill removes the reference to the minimum age at which insurance companies must cover colorectal cancer screenings, replacing it instead with language to look to the most recently published guidelines by a national cancer society as to when those screenings should occur. It also updates which screenings can be covered.

Bill sponsor Sen. Paul Davis (R-Piscataquis), said, “I am very glad to see this important legislation advance to the governor’s desk for signature. I know how quickly colorectal cancer can progress, as my wife is a survivor. Luckily, she was able to beat her cancer because it was detected early enough by a routine screening. Cancer has a big impact on families and with this change, we can help reduce the number of families that have to experience what my family has.”

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