HR230: HR230 Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; March 2025; recognize

25 LC 112 2934 House Resolution 230 By: Representatives Cooper of the 45th, Fleming of the 114th, Reeves of the 99th, Hawkins of the 27th, and Silcox of the 53rd A RESOLUTION Recognizing March 2025 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) dedicates time2 and resources to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) awareness; and3 WHEREAS, ASGE represents more than 16,000 gastroenterologists and allied health care4 professionals around the world who are dedicated to advancing p atient care and digestive5 health through education and advocacy and promoting excellence in gastrointestinal6 endoscopy; and7 WHEREAS, the number of uninsured or underinsured patients in the United States who have8 a positive (abnormal) CRC screening test result who get a timely follow-up colonoscopy is9 just 50 to 70 percent; and10 WHEREAS, the low follow-up colonoscopy rate can be attributed to a diverse and complex11 mix of barriers or obstacles related to the health care system, policy, and one's socioeconomic12 status and community; and13 H. R. 230 - 1 - 25 LC 112 2934 WHEREAS, CRC is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50 and the second14 leading cause of cancer death in women under 50 in the United States; and15 WHEREAS, CRC has a 90 percent survival rate when detected early enough; and16 WHEREAS, ASGE recommends that people who have not had colorectal cancer or polyps17 or who do not have any high-risk factors for CRC should begin getting screened for CRC at18 the age of 45; and19 WHEREAS, ASGE is working with C ommunity Health Care Systems, In c., which is a20 federally qualified health center that cares for patients in middle Georgia, on a project that21 is designed to increase the follow-up colonoscopy rate for uninsured and underinsured people22 who have a positive or abnormal stool-based CRC screening test; and23 WHEREAS, Community Health Care Systems is identifying and assis ting hundreds of24 uninsured and underinsured patients to get screened for CRC using a stool-based DNA test25 and to get a follow-up colonoscopy if it's necessary at no cost to the patients; and26 WHEREAS, ASGE and Community Health Care Systems will support these patients with27 professional navigators from Horizons Community Solutions who will guide them through28 the full continuum of care at no cost to the patients; and29 WHEREAS, ASGE and Community Health Care Systems are collaborating on this project30 with physicians and allied health care professionals; patient n avigators; legislators and31 regulators; state and local advocacy organizations such as the Georgia CRC Roundtable,32 Georgia CORE, and Fight CRC!; and community leaders; and33 H. R. 230 - 2 - 25 LC 112 2934 WHEREAS, gastroenterologists perform colonoscopies to prevent o r detect CRC by34 removing colon polyps; and35 WHEREAS, a follow-up colonoscopy is required after a positive non-colonoscopic screening36 test result to derive the benefits of screening; and37 WHEREAS, there are several other recommended options for CRC screening; and38 WHEREAS, offering patients screening options can help increase patient adherence to39 screening.40 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that41 the members of this body recognize March 2025 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and42 encourage eligible citizens to consult their health care provid ers and begin regular43 screenings.44 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ASGE's project has the potential to l e a d t o t h e45 development of a public policy model and a toolkit that can be used to increase the follow-up46 colonoscopy rate for underserved people across the United State s and has the potential to47 save countless lives.48 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized49 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the50 public and the press.51 H. R. 230 - 3 -