Janice Schakowsky: “In fact, only 25 percent of Medicare patients received recommended screening during the study period. We have to do…”

“In fact, only 25 percent of Medicare patients received recommended screening during the study period. We have to do better. We must work to expand public education and understanding of the benefits of screening. Congress needs to make it a priority to reduce the amount of out-of-pocket-costs associated with cancer screening to ensure that those who may be at risk of developing colorectal cancer get screened. And as the richest country in the world, we need to act to make sure that everyone gets the medical care they need. You've heard the statistics. If caught early the survival rate is 90 percent; if not, it's only 10 percent. Through the establishment of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month we will add to the over one million colorectal cancer survivors living in America today. I urge my colleagues to support this wonderful resolution, and I thank the gentleman for introducing it.”