Legislature(2005 - 2006)BELTZ 211
03/09/2006 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB274 | |
| SB307 | |
| HB393 | |
| Confirmation Hearings: | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 307 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 393 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 274 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CSHB 393(HES)-INSURANCE FOR COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING
CHAIR CON BUNDE announced CSHB 393(HES) to be up for
consideration.
SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS said he had concerns with the fiscal note.
CHAIR BUNDE responded that is one of the reasons he is going to
hold the bill for further explanation.
CRYSTAL NOVOTNY, staff to Representative Tom Anderson, sponsor,
read the sponsor statement to HB 393. Current Alaska state law
requires that health insurance policies cover screenings for
breast, cervical and prostate cancer. Colon cancer is the only
cancer with a recommended screening test available that is not
on this list.
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of death in Alaska
and across the nation. An estimated 57,000 Americans died from
colon cancer in 2005. Alaska Natives have the highest rate of
colorectal cancer in the nation. Cancers that are caught through
colorectal screening have a 90 percent five-year survival rate.
The five-year survival rate is only 10 percent if the cancer is
not caught until symptoms appear. A colonoscopy is over 90
percent effective at detecting colon cancer and can remove
precancerous colon polyps, which prevents cancer from ever
developing.
Screening is cost effective. National studies confirm the cost
of these screenings spread across the insured population is
minimal and covering screenings also has the potential for long-
term savings by avoiding treatment costs. Colonoscopies are
required only once every 10 years starting at the age of 50.
Medicare picks up coverage for the full range of screenings
including colonoscopies when a person becomes Medicare-eligible.
This underscores the cost effectiveness covering for what most
people will be only two colonoscopies between the ages of 50 and
65. The Institute of Medicine reports that the death rate from
colon cancer could drop by up to 80 percent if a majority of
Americans were regularly screened. Eighteen other states
including Texas, Missouri and Nevada have already adopted
similar legislation requiring screening coverage.
2:05:07 PM
MARIE DARLIN, Capitol City Task Force, AARP, supported HB 393
saying it would save lives and health care costs.
2:05:55 PM
EMILY NENON, American Cancer Society, supported HB 393. She
related that this legislation would not get everyone in the
state covered, but it is a significant piece as the state
regulates about 25 percent of all insurance policies. The
American Cancer Society is working on the other pieces as well
and has gotten 70 percent of all the federal employee health
benefit plans and Medicare to include this coverage.
2:07:19 PM
MS. NENON discussed the cost of colon cancer screening and how
it reduces costs by actually preventing cancer. Treatment for
colon cancer costs $250,000 per year just for the drug, so
colonoscopies save money as well as lives.
2:10:53 PM
CHAIR BUNDE asked the cost of an uninsured colonoscopy.
MS. NENON replied about $2,500 in Anchorage.
SENATOR ELLIS asked if she had seen the fiscal notes for HB 393.
MS. NENON replied that she was concerned with the assumptions
that were made. When you look at the cost of adding the benefit,
you also have to look at the treatment savings, for instance.
2:12:24 PM
MIKE FORD, Alaska Native Health Board, supported HB 393. Alaska
Natives have the highest rate of colon cancer from other racial
groups. "So, whenever we can chip away at the problem, we would
like to do so."
He also commented that he wasn't certain the fiscal note
reflected the true fiscal effect of the bill. The current active
state employee plan covers colon screening, but it is different
for retirees.
2:13:29 PM
RICK URION, cancer survivor, said he is still undergoing
treatment. He is in the group of people who have a high rate of
survival because he had an early detection colonoscopy. The
screening that detected the cancer was within one year of the
previous colonoscopy.
2:14:47 PM
DR. FRANK SACCO, General Surgeon, Alaska Native Medical Center,
voiced support for HB 393. He remarked how colon cancer has
tremendous emotional and economic costs affects on a person who
develops it. He emphasized that this cancer can be decreased and
cured, unlike a lot of other cancers. It's frustrating for him
to see folks die needlessly.
2:16:35 PM
SENATOR SEEKINS asked what kind of screening Alaska Native
Medical Center provides for people.
DR. SACCO replied it provides two things - flexible
sigmoidoscopies for people of average risk and colonoscopies for
high-risk folks. Its screening rates are below the national
average.
2:18:02 PM
SENATOR SEEKINS asked him to explain the virtual colonoscopy
program.
DR. SACCO replied that it may be a way to get more folks
screened, but unfortunately it still requires a full bowel
preparation for the patient who would still get a tube inserted
that gets inflated with air. About 30 to 40 percent of the
patients will have something that warrants a colonoscopy. It's
not recommended for general screening.
2:19:22 PM
CHAIR BUNDE asked if this bill would impact his clients.
DR. SACCO replied that it would help. About 40 percent of his
patients have other some sort of coverage or private insurance.
He noted that over half his hospital's budget comes from what it
collects, not from the federal government. Collecting more means
it can provide more services.
CHAIR BUNDE asked why colon cancer is more prevalent in native
cultures.
DR. SACCO speculated diet, genetic and lifestyle issues. The
gene is more prevalent in Natives and their traditional diets
are low in fiber. Screening is the only proven way to detect
cancer and remove polyps that would prevent it from developing.
2:22:40 PM
CARE TUKS, Wasilla, related that she has survived 10 separate
bouts with cancer. She testified that screening and early
detection works. If it's detected early, thousands of lives
could be saved as well as thousands of dollars in prolonged
treatment.
CHAIR BUNDE said he would set this aside for a future date.
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