Colorectal cancer advocacy and policy

Screening for colorectal cancer through a simple blood draw has the potential to transform screening rates. It is non-invasive and can be administered as part of routine blood tests for other conditions such as high cholesterol. However, while blood tests are FDA-approved, Medicare does not cover these and will not until they are recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The Alliance urges USPSTF to evaluate the data of blood screenings and issue an updated report.

This federal program aimed at increasing the screening rate is conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This successful program was funded at only $43 million in 2021, saw no increase in 2022, and is slated to receive $48 million in 2023, per President Biden's budget. As with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Alliance will advocate for the Colorectal Cancer Control Program to receive an increase in 2024 that at least exceeds the rate of inflation.

The United States is the only industrialized nation that does not provide universal health care. Today, 31 million Americans have no health insurance and others are underinsured. For too many, receiving quality healthcare can lead to heavy financial burdens. Access to insurance is a key predictor of health outcomes. In colorectal cancer, the uninsured are more likely not to get screened, more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage, and more likely to die. The Alliance advocates for legislation that increases access to health insurance and lowers co-pays and co-insurance.

Also known as Obamacare, the ACA guarantees that Americans can be screened for colorectal cancer with no out-of-pocket costs. There have been repeated legislative and legal efforts to overturn some, or all, of ACA’s important protections, and this will likely continue. The Alliance will oppose all efforts to reduce ACA protections and will advocate for the expansion of the law.

The second largest source of government funding for medical research is the Department of Defense (DOD). While the program has dedicated funding for eight forms of cancer, colorectal cancer is not one of them, even though it’s the second deadliest. The Alliance advocates for a colorectal cancer research program at the CDMRP starting at the $20 million level.

In December of 2022, Congress appropriated $7.1 billion to fund cancer research at NCI, which is a 2.9% increase. Unfortunately, that fails to keep pace with the inflation rate of 7.5%, which means even with the Administration’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative, the United States will invest less in cancer research this year than last. The Alliance advocates for funding that, at a minimum, exceeds the rate of inflation.

Industry participation is vital in advancing colorectal cancer research. At the same time, the rising cost of drugs is unsustainable for both payers and patients. The Alliance supports policies that appropriately balance the need for pharmaceutical research and innovation with access to potentially life-saving treatments.