For Immediate Release: 4/11/22

Congressman Payne Calls for Passage of ‘Donald Payne Sr. Colorectal Cancer Detection Act’

Congressman Speaks Alongside Healthcare Leaders at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center on Importance of Awareness and Access to Lifesaving Cancer Screenings

NEWARK, NJ – Standing alongside healthcare leaders at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center today, U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr., (D-Newark) called on Congress to pass the “Donald Payne Sr. Colorectal Cancer Detection Act,” legislation he has sponsored to improve access to lifesaving cancer screenings. Named for the Congressman’s father, the legendary Rep. Donald Payne, Sr., who tragically died from colon cancer in 2012, the bill would provide coverage under the Medicare program for FDA-approved qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests, to increase participation in colorectal cancer screening in under-screened communities of color.

“Colorectal cancer is a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of Americans each year, and it’s something that hits incredibly close to home for me,” said Congressman Payne. “One of my top priorities is addressing the health care disparities that lead to colorectal cancer being such a devastating disease. That’s why I joined healthcare leaders today to ask Congress to pass this crucial legislation that would improve access to critically important cancer screenings, especially in communities of color where cost is too often a barrier to receiving the proper care.”

Congressman Payne’s new legislation builds on success he has already achieved on the issue. He sponsored the “Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act” so Medicare beneficiaries could get polyp, or cancerous growth, removals covered during routine colorectal cancer screenings. The bill was signed into law in 2019, and has already made a major difference. Congressman Payne has also been a strong supporter of the Patient Protection Act, which recently became law and saves a family of four earning $40,000 nearly $1,600 every year, and a 64-year-old earning $57,420 saves more than $8,700 every year. He co-sponsors the Medicare for All proposal, because health care should be a right, not a privilege.

“While Republicans have spent the past decade trying to destroy the Affordable Care Act, I’ve been focused on expanding access to care by passing new legislation focused on cancer and diabetes,” said Congressman Payne. “I’m proud that I was able to join my House colleagues recently to vote to cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month, another measure that would address these kinds of long standing health disparities, and I will always fight for people to get access to the healthcare they need.”

Congressman Payne was joined at the event by Marilyn M. Harris, VP of Ambulatory Care, Newark Beth Israel, Children’s Hospital of New Jersey Director of General Medicine and Director of the NBIMC Colorectal Cancer Screening Taskforce Johanny Garcia, MD, and Director of Frederick B. Cohen, MD Comprehensive Cancer Center Sari Jacoby, MD. The event was also attended by Marlene Sincaglia, Vice State Lead Ambassador, and Sister Mary Lopez, Senior Grassroots Manager, of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

“Health disparities in our community is an issue that is near and dear to my heart,” said Dr. Garcia. “Our team at Newark Beth Israel is dedicated to providing the highest and most compassionate level of care, and our task force is committed to continuing to expand healthcare access and reducing the racial and economic disparities to receiving critical treatments. We are so grateful for Congressman Payne’s continued advocacy and pursuit of legislation that expands access to care.”

Congressman Payne has recently been endorsed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, New Jersey Education Association, the Communications Workers of America NJ, Laborers’ International North America Eastern Region, the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and AFSCME NJ. He also recently announced the support of U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker as well as Governor Phil Murphy, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.

About Congressman Payne:

A lifelong Newark resident, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., is a champion for working families, Democratic values and fighting to provide more opportunities for people in black and brown communities. He’s a devoted husband and father and a former union member with a blue collar background who has an immense respect for the dignity of work and the value of organized labor. A five-term Congressman, he was first elected in 2012 to succeed his late father, the legendary Rep. Donald Payne, Sr., who was the first Black Congressman in state history. Congressman Payne is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials in the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over major infrastructure initiatives including the Gateway Project that are critical to New Jersey’s economy. Congressman Payne co-wrote the House version of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure act and has supported critical progressive legislation like the Build Back Better plan, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Equality Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and much more.