NicaSweety's Blog

On March 26, 2008 Governor John E. Baldacci signed LD 2109, An Act Relating to Insurance Coverage for Colorectal Cancer Early Detection. The bill requires health insurance policies issued or renewed after Jan. 1, 2009, to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screenings.
“We know that the five-year survival rate for those who detected their colon cancer early is 90 percent, but only 39 percent of colon cancers are diagnosed at this stage,” Governor Baldacci said. “That’s why this bill is so important. The bill requires coverage for colorectal cancer screening recommended by health care providers.”

Governor Baldacci was joined at the signing by bill sponsor, Rep. Edward Mazurek (D-Rockland), co-sponsors of the legislation, cancer survivors, caregivers and representatives from the American Cancer Society.

Earlier in the year, Governor Baldacci proclaimed the month of March as Colon Cancer Awareness Month in the State of Maine.

I was invited by the American Cancer Society to testify in favor of this bill, it was an honor to be able to participate knowing it will impact the lives of so many people, this bill is so important because it will benefit people 50 years or older, people younger with family history of colon cancer or younger than 50 and symptomatic, as of January 2009 insurance companies will have to pay for screening, since colon cancer is preventable if detected early it is treatable.