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3/8/2022
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National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable presents Rep. Ackerman with Distinguished Service Award
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STATE HOUSE — The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, founded by the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is honoring House Deputy Majority Whip Mia A. Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln) with the 2022 80% In Every Community National Achievement Award, given in recognition of distinguished, ongoing efforts to increase colorectal cancer screening rates across the United States.
Representative Ackerman sponsored a law (2021-H 5432A) last 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 honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Representative Ackerman. “I am thrilled that we were able to pass this bill last year. In addition to saving lives, identifying colorectal cancer early saves money because treating it then is far less complicated and less costly than when it is advanced. I appreciate the hard work done by everybody involved in getting the legislation passed.”
Representative Ackerman received the award in conjunction with Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence), who sponsored the Senate version of the legislation. The two also received the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s prestigious National Distinguished Advocacy Award in 2021.
Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined.
“Colorectal cancer screening saves lives, but only if people get tested,” said Steven Itzkowitz, MD, gastroenterologist with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and NCCRT chair. “Nearly 1 in 3 adults are not up to date with colorectal cancer screening, but we are seeing tremendous progress toward 80% in Every Community, the national effort to increase screening rates to 80% and higher in communities across the nation. We are honored to recognize the dedication of these community leaders that share our goal of increasing access to life-saving colorectal cancer screening.”
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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