Colon Cancer: Greater Use of Screenings Would Save Lives
March 6, 2000
The U.S. Senate unanimously declared March 2000 as the first National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. As of January 1, 1998, Medicare covers colorectal cancer screening. The purpose of this hearing is to explore why screening is underused and ways to increase its use.
Date: March 6, 2000
Time: 1:00 p.m.
216 Hart
Statements of Committee Members
- Senator Chuck Grassley, Chairman, Iowa
Witness Testimony Panel 1:
- Ms. Katie Couric, host, NBC News "Today" and advocate for colorectal cancer screening, New York, New York
- Mrs. Shirley Heiligman, colon cancer victim and Medicare beneficiary who used the screening benefit, New York, New York
- Dr. William Scanlon , Director, Health Care Financing and Public Health, General Accounting Office, Washington, DC
- Ms. Michael McMullan, Deputy Director, Center for Beneficiary Services Health Care Financing Administration, Baltimore, Maryland
- Dr. Bernard Levin, M.D., Office of the Vice-President for Cancer Prevention, the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Hearing Publications
- Committee on Aging Print: 106-23