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9/29/2021 American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network honors Sen. Goodwin with Distinguished Service Award
STATE HOUSE — The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network has awarded Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin with its National Distinguished Service Award for demonstrating outstanding leadership in the area of cancer-related public policy advocacy.

Senator Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) sponsored a law (2021-S 0383A) this year that requires health insurers to cover preventive colorectal cancer screening, including all colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests in accordance with American Cancer Society Guidelines. That coverage must be provided without cost-sharing as long as the services are performed in the insurer’s network, and includes an initial screening and a follow-up colonoscopy if the results of the screening are abnormal.

“I am very grateful for this recognition, and also thankful to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for its hard work in advancing supportive cancer policies nationwide. I can personally attest to how critically important it is that everyone is able to get recommended colorectal cancer screening. Cancer screening is routine preventive care that catches cancer early and saves lives as well as reducing health care costs down the road. Copays, cost-sharing and insurers that don’t cover pre-screening only discourage people from getting the care they need to protect themselves. This legislation will save lives by increasing access to these life-saving screenings,” said Senator Goodwin, who is currently undergoing treatment for colon cancer herself.

The award was announced Tuesday during the organization’s annual Cancer Lobby Day. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is the nation’s leading cancer advocacy organization that is working every day to make cancer issues a national priority.

The new law was amended by the Senate and the House Health and Human Services Committee to name it “The Maryellen Goodwin Colorectal Screening Act” to honor Senator Goodwin’s advocacy for cancer screening coverage. She sponsored the act for three years —beginning before her own diagnosis — until it was signed into law this year.

American Cancer Society Guidelines recommend that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women combined in Rhode Island as well as in the United States. An estimated 490 people in Rhode Island will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, and about 160 people Rhode Islanders will die from this disease in 2021.
 



For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923