An Act To Reduce Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality by Updating Screening Coverage
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0555
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Sponsors: DAVIS, TEPLER, BLACK, BREEN, CLAXTON, GRATWICK, TIMBERLAKE, GRIGNON, KESCHL
Amends: 24-A MRSA §2763, 24-A MRSA §2847-N, 24-A MRSA §4254

Legislative Document
No. 555
S.P. 177
In Senate, February 5, 2019
An Act To Reduce Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality by 
Updating Screening Coverage
Reference to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services 
suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator DAVIS of Piscataquis.
Cosponsored by Representative TEPLER of Topsham and
Senators: BLACK of Franklin, BREEN of Cumberland, CLAXTON of Androscoggin, 
GRATWICK of Penobscot, SANBORN, L. of Cumberland, TIMBERLAKE of Androscoggin, 
Representatives: GRIGNON of Athens, KESCHL of Belgrade.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  24-A MRSA §2763, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 516, §2 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
1.  Colorectal cancer screening.  For the purposes of this section, "colorectal cancer 
screening" means a all colorectal cancer examination examinations and laboratory test 
tests recommended by a health care provider in accordance with the most recently 
published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer society.
Sec. 2.  24-A MRSA §2763, sub-§2, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 516, §2 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
A.  Fifty years of age or older At average risk for colorectal cancer according to the 
most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer 
society; or
Sec. 3.  24-A MRSA §2763, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 516, §2 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
B.  Less than 50 years of age and at At high risk for colorectal cancer according to the 
most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer 
society.
Sec. 4.  24-A MRSA §2847-N, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 516, §3 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
1.  Colorectal cancer screening.  For the purposes of this section, "colorectal cancer 
screening" means a all colorectal cancer examination examinations and laboratory test 
tests recommended by a health care provider in accordance with the most recently 
published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer society.
Sec. 5.  24-A MRSA §2847-N, sub-§2, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 516, §3 
and affected by §5, is amended to read:
A.  Fifty years of age or older At average risk for colorectal cancer according to the 
most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer 
society; or
Sec. 6.  24-A MRSA §2847-N, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 516, §3 
and affected by §5, is amended to read:
B.  Less than 50 years of age and at At high risk for colorectal cancer according to the 
most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer 
society.
Sec. 7.  24-A MRSA §4254, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 516, §4 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
1.  Colorectal cancer screening.  For the purposes of this section, "colorectal cancer 
screening" means a all colorectal cancer examination examinations and laboratory test 
tests recommended by a health care provider in accordance with the most recently 
published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer society.
Sec. 8.  24-A MRSA §4254, sub-§2, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 516, §4 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
A.  Fifty years of age or older At average risk for colorectal cancer according to the 
most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer 
society; or
Sec. 9.  24-A MRSA §4254, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 516, §4 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
B.  Less than 50 years of age and at At high risk for colorectal cancer according to the 
most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer 
society.
SUMMARY
This bill removes references to the age of the patient for purposes of requiring 
coverage for colorectal cancer screening for asymptomatic individuals who are at average 
risk for colorectal cancer and instead requires coverage in accordance with the most 
recently published guidelines of a national cancer society.  In addition, this bill requires 
coverage of all colorectal examinations and laboratory tests recommended by a health 
care provider in accordance with those published guidelines.