US Representative Vern Buchanan (R-Fl) has filed legislation to expand public healthcare options for lung cancer screenings.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in America, with about 136,000 people dying from it yearly.
According to the University of Florida, early detection can increase the 5-year survival rate for stage I lung cancer to nearly 90 percent.
Representative Buchanan’s Lung Cancer Screening and Prevention Act (H.R. 6693) seeks to increase access to lung cancer screenings by streamlining administrative processes.
Per Buchanan’s team, lung cancer screening tests have to surmount sundry bureaucratic steps prior to being given the final green light by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Once passed, Buchanan’s bill would enable the CMS to override certain bureaucratic procedures when certifying new FDA-approved lung cancer tests.
“The federal government should make it easier for seniors to access crucial life-saving lung cancer screenings and not unreasonably hinder these tests from becoming available for use,” said Congressman Buchanan.
Via press release, Buchanan cited a study by The American Lung Association alleging lung cancer screening adds 80,000 years of life for people in the U.S. and saves the U.S. economy $40 million.
Buchanan’s proposal enjoys bipartisan support from Co-Chair of the House Cancer Caucus Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA).
Representative Kilmer remarked that “this bipartisan legislation ensures that more Americans have access to life-saving screenings.”
