Other specialties join radiology in support of bill to boost CT imaging funding
Other specialties are joining radiology in pushing for the passage of a bipartisan bill to boost funding for low-dose CT lung cancer scans.
Members of the U.S. House in July introduced the Mobile Cancer Screening Act, drawing praise from the American College of Radiology. If passed, the legislation would offer grants to help providers purchase moveable CT units through the federal government, helping to improve access to the modality.
ACR on Thursday touted growing support for House Resolution 4417. Over a dozen medical organizations have endorsed the legislation, including societies representing chest physicians, orthopedic foot and ankle specialists, thoracic and plastic surgeons, and gynecologic oncologists.
“This critical piece of legislation will significantly enhance access to cancer screening services for underserved and rural communities across the United States,” the groups wrote to Reps. Raul Ruiz, MD, D-Calif., Gabe Evans, R-Col., and Debbie Wasserman Shultz, D-Fla., who are co-sponsoring the bill, on Aug. 11.
They noted that lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer death in the country, killing nearly 125,000 Americans each year. If caught early, the disease is treatable, but many communities face “significant” barriers to accessing timely screening services. HR 4417 would remedy this by offering grants of up to $2 million per request to cover the costs for new vehicles, CT scanners and related software. Members of Congress also introduced the Mobile Cancer Screening Act last year, but it failed to pass.
“By bringing cancer screening directly to the communities that need it most, this legislation will help to ensure that all individuals … can benefit from early detection and intervention,” ACR et al. wrote. “This proactive approach will not only save lives but also reduce healthcare costs associated with late-stage cancer treatments.”
ACR highlighted the letter in a news update published Aug. 21. Others signing the message included the American Lung Association, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Prevent Cancer Foundation and the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.