A JOINT MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO
CREATE A TASK FORCE TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUES CONCERNING INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR
AND ACCESS TO SCREENING AND DETECTION FOR COLORECTAL CANCER.
WHEREAS, approximately six
hundred New Mexico women and men are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year
and nearly three hundred die each year of the disease; and
WHEREAS, colorectal cancer is
the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the state, following lung cancer;
and
WHEREAS, early detection of
colorectal cancer has been definitively proven to consistently lower
disease-specific mortality, yet most people, including those with private
insurance, have not been screened for colorectal cancer; and
WHEREAS, early detection of
colorectal cancer is arguably the most powerful underused lifesaving
examination available in the United States; and
WHEREAS, increasing access to
and use of colorectal cancer screening would save the lives of many New
Mexicans; and
WHEREAS, it is the mission of
the department of health to improve the health care afforded to all New
Mexicans and to reduce the incidence of disease;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be
requested to create a task force that includes representatives of the American
cancer society, the New Mexico medical society, insurance superintendent,
health care practitioners, health care providers and others to investigate the
issues concerning insurance coverage of and access to screening and early
detection tests for colorectal cancer in the state; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
task force be requested to report its findings and recommendations to the
appropriate interim committee of the legislature by October 2003; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a
copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of health.