CALL TO ACTION - Ask Congress to remove barriers to CRC screening for Medicare patients
Recently, the federal government issued an important clarification on preventive screening stating that patients with private insurance will not longer be liable for cost sharing when a pre-cancerous colon polyp is removed during screening colonoscopy. Unfortunately, the cost sharing issue remains a problem for patients wtih Medicare coverage.
SGNA encourages members to send an electronic letter to their state representative asking them to support the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act (H.R. 1070).
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SGNA is proud to be an advocate in GI/endoscopy issues that affect not only our members but the patients our members serve.
SGNA Guideline: Understanding and Influencing the Legislative Process
Below you can access Web sites that direct you to a list of elected officials for your local congressman and both your Senate and House representatives. You can contact them by e-mail, phone, fax or mail. You can also search by Number or Keyword for a particular bill or print mailing labels directly from this site.
Find your Congressman
The United States Senate
The U.S. House of Representatives
CapWiz e-Advocacy tool offers access to current legislative updates, Action Alerts and other resources. Access to this tool is through a partnership with ASGE.
THOMAS offers online legislative, congressional, committee and agency updates, activities and information.
The following organizations also contain legislative information peratining to GI/endoscopy:
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): contains a variety of information on topics relating to gastroenterology, endoscopy, hepatitis, colon cancer, as well as information in Spanish and English.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH): offers links to databases, research studies, drug information and the National Library of Medicine. Find out Regulatory Guidance and Legislation, as well as newly approved FDA drugs through their Center for Drug Evaluation and Research section.
The American Nurses Association (ANA): offers various information including the "Nursing's Agenda for the Future," which addresses the growing shortage of nurses.
Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC): is an advocacy organization comprised of the major national voluntary and professional societies concerned with digestive diseases. The DDNC focuses on improving public policy related to digestive diseases and increasing public awareness with respect to the many diseases of the digestive system. The DDNC was founded in 1978 and is based in Washington DC. They work cooperatively to improve access to and the quality of digestive healthcare in order to promote the best possible medical outcome, and quality of life for current and future patients with digestive diseases.
Consider supporting DDNC by attending the 2013 Public Policy Forum on March 3-4, 2013 in Washington, DC. This annual event brings together patients, healthcare providers, industry representatives and lawmakers for two days of educational programs, legislative updates and advocacy training. The Public Policy Forum is free to attend, but you must register by February 17, 2013.
In an effort to increase SGNA representation at the Public Policy Forum, SGNA has made scholarships available to cover travel and housing costs for attending the forum. Any Individual interested in applying for this scholarship must complete the brief application and return it to SGNA Headquarters by February 8, 2013.
National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT): A national coalition committed to reducing colorectal cancer incidence and mortality through coordinated leadership, strategic planning and advocacy.
Prevent Colorectal Cancer: offers various links to other Web sites dedicated to the dissemination of information for patients and professionals regarding colorectal cancer.
Pancreative Cancer Action Network (PANCAN): offers various information on pancreative cancer for patients and professionals.