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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO REQUIRE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENINGS FOR INDIVIDUALS UNDER 45
WHEREAS, in the United States colon cancer and rectal cancer, collectively known as colorectal cancer (CRC), is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women; and
WHEREAS, according to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 108,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with CRC, with one in five of those cases occurring in younger adults under the age of 55; and
WHEREAS, since the 1990s, medical experts have seen increasing levels of CRC in young adults by about 3 percent per year; and
WHEREAS, according to experts at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, this increase is proportionally a lot higher among adults in their 20s and 30s; and
WHEREAS, despite these rising levels of CRC in younger populations, The Affordable Care Act (ACA) only requires private insurers and Medicare to cover the costs of colorectal cancer screening tests after an individual turns 45 years old; and
WHEREAS, as a result of lack of insurance coverage for these detection screenings, the majority of younger patients are only seeking medical assistance when they begin presenting with symptoms - and CRC symptoms emerge when the cancer has progressed to more aggressive stages, like stage 3 or 4; and
WHEREAS, for those with regional stage colon cancer, there is less than a 75% chance of survival 5 years from diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, for those with distant stage colon cancer, there is less than a 15% chance of survival 5 years from diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, for those with regional stage rectal cancer, there is less than a 75% chance of survival 5 years from diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, for those with distant stage rectal cancer, there is less than a 20% chance of survival 5 years from diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, late-stage colon cancer offers a life expectancy of only 12-30 months; and
WHEREAS, conversely, for those of screening age, if cancer is found during screening the majority of cases are found at early stages -- where it is very treatable and curable; and
WHEREAS, though new options are available for testing for CRC, including blood tests and services like Colon Guard, insurance coverage for these is still limited to eligible patients only - meaning those 45 and older; and
WHEREAS, the out-of-pocket cost of Colon Guard is about $600; and
WHEREAS, the average cost of a colonoscopy in the U.S. is $2,750, but the procedure can range from $1,250 to $4,800 or more; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2024 Synchrony Average Procedural Cost Study for Cosmetic, Dental, Veterinary, Vision, and Other Practices Across the United States, the average cost of a colonoscopy out-of-pocket in Illinois is about $2,400; and
WHEREAS, nearly 30% of Cook County’s population is between the ages of 20 and 39; and
WHEREAS, in these stark economic times, the majority of young adult populations do not have the resources to afford these pricey screenings without insurance coverage; and
WHEREAS, as a result of lack of screenings, more and more of our workforce age populations are suffering from later stages of CRC that are more taxing on the body and more expensive to treat.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby call on the United States Federal Government to require both private insurance companies and Medicare to cover colorectal cancer screenings for those below the age of 45; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and suitable copies be tendered to the President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Representative Delia Ramirez, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, Representative Mike Quigley, Representative Jan Schakowsky, Representative Robin Kelly, Representative Danny Davis, Representative Jonathan Jackson, Representative Chuy Garcia, Representative Brad Schneider, Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois Senate Leader Don Harmon, and Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Welch.
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