"Very few older Americans get tested for colon cancer," Grassley said. "That's a shame. It puts them at unnecessary risk for a detectable, treatable and common cancer. Everybody with Medicare should know that colon cancer screenings save lives, and that Medicare covers colon cancer screenings."
Grassley's comments came after a hearing, "Colon Cancer: Greater Use of Screenings Would Save Lives." Katie Couric, host of NBC's "Today" show, testified about the value of early screenings. The General Accounting Office (GAO) reported that in 1999, only 14.1 percent of Medicare beneficiaries used any of the covered colon cancer tests. Only 9.1 percent of beneficiaries used the most common and non-invasive screening method, the fecal occult blood test, although experts recommend an annual fecal occult blood test.
In Iowa, Grassley said, only 12.3 percent of Medicare beneficiaries used any of the screening services. Colorectal cancer death rates are slightly higher in Iowa than the rest of the nation.
Nationwide, reasons for the low use of the colon cancer screening benefit are wide-ranging, according to the GAO. They include:
Grassley said the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), which runs Medicare, is trying to educate beneficiaries and doctors about preventive benefits but has limited resources. He announced that he and Sen. John Breaux, ranking member, will write to the Appropriations Committee asking for more money to educate beneficiaries about their benefits.
Grassley and Breaux will ask for full funding -- $80 million -- of the authorized amount for Grassley: Medicare Must Improve Outreach on Colon Cancer the National Medicare Beneficiary Education program, which provides comprehensive information and counseling to seniors about their Medicare health plan choices; covered benefits, including preventive screenings; and rights and protections under the program. The Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 drastically cut the amount authorized to be collected by user fees, which had been funding the program. Therefore, the program will become virtually obsolete unless money is appropriated to make up the difference, Grassley said.
Grassley said the education program is important for ensuring the use of a variety of preventive services, including colon cancer, that Congress added to Medicare in 1997.
"Older Americans should know that Medicare isn't just for when they get sick," Grassley said. "It's also for keeping them well. Colon cancer is a good example. The risk of colon cancer increases with age, but there's no reason to live in fear. Screenings are available, and they work. A few minutes in the doctor's office bring great peace of mind."
Grassley and Breaux have published a colon cancer checklist for older Americans. The checklist is available by calling 202/224-5364 or by visiting www.senate.gov/~aging.