For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 14, 2008
For More Information, Contact: Joe Fulgham (302) 744-4184 joseph.fulgham@state.de.us
Speaker of the House Terry Spence (R-Stratford) is introducing legislation to require health insurance coverage of a common form of anesthesia used in colorectal screenings.
The as yet unnumbered bill seeks to require Delaware insurers to provide coverage for the use of anesthesia in colorectal screenings if the health care provider treating the patient believes that its use is appropriate and beneficial.
The move is in response to a reported proposal by Aetna Inc. The insurance company, which covers about one-out-of-every-nine Delawareans (95,000), had indicated it would restrict the use of “propofol”, a type of anesthetic administered by an anesthesiologist.
Some doctors had complained that would leave many patients with less effective options. They argued that the fear of increased discomfort during the procedure, which involves inserting a scope into the patient, could result in fewer people getting the potentially life-saving screening.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, the screenings are a useful tool in spotting growths (polyps) inside the colon and rectum that may become cancerous. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States in both men and women. If caught early – which is what the screenings are designed to do – it is often curable.
“This just strikes me as shortsighted,” Speaker Spence said of the Aetna proposal. “I understand the inflationary nature of healthcare and the need to constantly look for ways to cut costs. However, it’s a poor bargain to save $700 on anesthetic only to incur thousands of dollars treating a cancer patient. I believe that encouraging tests that result in prevention or early treatment is ultimately more cost-effective and offers a higher-quality of care to Delawareans.”
Speaker Spence is not alone, nor the first, in speaking out against Aetna’s scheme. Late last week, Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn criticized the action and said he might ask the General Assembly to intervene to stop it.
“I agree with Commissioner Denn and I think we need to act even if Aetna reverses its decision,” Speaker Spence said. “I think state lawmakers should send a message to insurers by sending this bill to the governor that we believe prevention makes more sense than treatment.”
Although the State House of Representatives is in recess while the Joint Finance Committee conducts budget hearings, Speaker Spence says he’ll officially file the bill March 5th.
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