I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1017 
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to waive coinsurance under 
Medicare for colorectal cancer screening tests, regardless of whether 
therapeutic intervention is required during the screening. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 13, 2017 
Mr. DENT (for himself, Mr. PAYNE, and Mr. LANCE) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and 
in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to waive 
coinsurance under Medicare for colorectal cancer screen-
ing tests, regardless of whether therapeutic intervention 
is required during the screening. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Removing Barriers to 
Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 2017’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) Colorectal cancer is the second leading 
cause of cancer death among men and women com-
bined in the United States. 
(2) In 2017, more than 135,000 Americans will 
be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and approxi-
mately 50,000 Americans will die from it. 
(3) Approximately 60 percent of colorectal can-
cer cases and 70 percent of deaths occur in those 
aged 65 and older. 
(4) Colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy al-
lows for the detection and removal of polyps, or ab-
normal growths, that could become cancerous, as 
well as for the early detection of colorectal cancer 
when treatment can be most effective. 
(5) Although colorectal cancer is largely pre-
ventable, one in three adults between the ages of 50 
and 75 are not up to date with recommended 
colorectal cancer screening. 
(6) Over 1,000 organizations have committed to 
eliminating colorectal cancer as a major public 
health problem and are working toward the shared 
goal of reaching 80 percent screened for colorectal 
cancer by 2018. 
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(7) Colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy is a 
highly effective preventive service, and removing fi-
nancial barriers can help to increase screening rates. 
SEC. 3. WAIVING MEDICARE COINSURANCE FOR COLOREC-
TAL CANCER SCREENING TESTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1833(a)(1)(Y) of the So-
cial Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)(Y)) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘, including a colorectal cancer screening test 
(regardless of the code that is billed for the establishment 
of a diagnosis as a result of the test, or for the removal 
of tissue or other procedure that is furnished in connection 
with, as a result of, and in the same clinical encounter 
as the screening test),’’ after ‘‘section 1861(ddd)(3)’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
this section shall apply to items and services furnished 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Æ 
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