Frankfort, Kentucky - April 9, 2024 - Governor Andy Beshear has signed into law legislation that will eliminate out-of-pocket costs for high-risk men being screened for prostate cancer and other cancer screenings. Out-of-pocket costs pose barriers to prostate cancer detection and treatment, disproportionately impacting lower-income individuals, people of color, and those with limited healthcare access. These financial burdens exacerbate health disparities and increase risks for vulnerable populations.
More than 299,000 new prostate cancer diagnoses are expected in 2024. Black men are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed and die from this disease. Early detection continues to be the most effective means of saving lives from prostate cancer. Understanding that men’s lives are at stake, ZERO Prostate Cancer, the leading national prostate cancer nonprofit, spearheaded the advocacy efforts for HB 52. In partnership with FORCE, the American Cancer Society, the American Urological Association, and Merck, ZERO built a coalition to prioritize the importance of removing barriers to cancer screening.
“More than four hundred men in Kentucky are expected to die from prostate cancer this year, and that’s simply unacceptable,” said Courtney Bugler, President and CEO of ZERO Prostate Cancer. “Kentucky’s bold move to remove financial barriers to screenings means that more men at the highest risk will be tested and valuable lives will be saved.”
This groundbreaking legislation was championed by Representative Deanna Frazier Gordon (R), who says Kentucky bears one of the highest cancer burdens in the U.S. According to Gordon, Kentucky averages 27,000 new cancer cases annually and 10,000 cancer deaths annually. More than 3,500 new cases of prostate cancer are expected to be diagnosed in Kentucky in 2024.
Upon receiving Governor Beshear's signature, the bill joins similar state legislative initiatives in Illinois, Maryland, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island, reinforcing the importance of accessible preventive care in combating prostate cancer.
At the federal level, ZERO Prostate Cancer is leading the advocacy effort behind the PSA Screening for High-risk Insured Men Act, also known as PSA for HIM. Introduced by Representatives Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY), this legislation would require health insurance providers to offer PSA screenings without any cost-sharing requirements (copays, deductibles, or coinsurance) for African-American men or men with a family history of prostate cancer between the ages of 55 and 69. There is also a Senate version of the bill, S.2821 by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and John Boozman (R-AR).
For more information on HB 52 and advocacy efforts related to cancer prevention in Kentucky, visit ZERO’s website at zerocancer.org/advocacy.
About ZERO Prostate Cancer
ZERO Prostate Cancer is the leading national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer and help all who are impacted. ZERO advances research, provides support, and creates solutions to achieve health equity to meet the most critical needs of our community. From early detection to survivorship, ZERO is the premier resource for prostate cancer patients and their families to access comprehensive support, make meaningful connections, and take action to save lives. Our dedicated national and chapter staff is joined by a growing team of passionate volunteer champions to increase advocacy, awareness, and community engagement to ZERO out prostate cancer. ZERO is recognized with four out of four stars by Charity Navigator and accredited by the Better Business Bureau. ZERO spends more on programs than any other prostate cancer charity, dedicating 85 cents of every dollar to support, education, and research.
