Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik today voted in favor of the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, bipartisan legislation that waives cost-sharing under Medicare for preventative colonoscopies. Congresswoman Stefanik cosponsored this bill in the House. Currently, Seniors on Medicare face the prospect of an out-of-pocket expense totaling hundreds of dollars if a polyp is removed during a screening or colonoscopy that is supposed to be free. This bill waives coinsurance requirements with respect to colorectal cancer screening tests, even if a polyp or tissue is removed.
“Colorectal cancer is a disease that unfortunately effects many in the North Country and across the United States,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I am proud to cosponsor and vote in favor of this legislation, which will lower costs for Medicare beneficiaries who need this important screening. Correcting this oversight will hopefully encourage more individuals to participate in colorectal cancer screening and therefore reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer. I commend my House colleagues for coming together in a bipartisan manner to pass this legislation.
