Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Hernandez, and Wilson Call on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy to Expand Access to Colonoscopy Screenings to Fight Colon Cancer

Resources / Press Share on Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Hernandez, and Wilson Call on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy to Expand Access to Colonoscopy Screenings to Fight Colon Cancer Sep 21, 2026 Expanding Access to Health Care Press WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05 ), Rep. Pablo Hernandez (PR) , and Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02) sent a congressional oversight letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand colonoscopy access for individuals with a history of polyps as part of preventative screenings in Affordable Care Act (ACA) regulated health plans. Members urged the HHS to issue new ACA FAQ guidance, stating that a follow-up surveillance colonoscopy is a “screening” and therefore part of the ACA preventive services benefit. Specifically, they suggest the following language to be included in the FAQ guidance: If a follow-up, screening colonoscopy is scheduled and performed prior to the 10-year window, is it permissible for a plan or issuer to impose cost-sharing for the cost of the procedure and polyp removal during the colonoscopy? Members wrote: “Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the country’s second leading cause of cancer mortality among women and men combined. However, colorectal cancer is unique in that it is largely preventable. Even when found and treated early, the five-year colorectal cancer survival rate is 90 percent; unfortunately, less than 40 percent of colorectal cancer cases are caught early.” “According to data released earlier this year, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths for Americans under 50 years old — a sobering reality which was not initially projected to occur until 2030. It is also expected to be the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women aged 20 to 49 by 2030.” “Affordability and patient cost-sharing are demonstrated barriers to colorectal cancer screening. We must make a concerted effort to address this public health crisis and increase screening rates throughout the continuum of care. This includes patients with a personal history of polyps, but who are otherwise asymptomatic.” “Based on clinical practice and guidance received from the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force (USMSTF) on Colorectal Cancer, a follow-up screening colonoscopy for asymptomatic patients with a personal history of polyps is an integral part of the continuum of care and should be considered a ‘screening.’ The USMSTF recommends that asymptomatic individuals undergoing screening colonoscopy require repeat screenings to evaluate for new polyps at specific intervals based on the findings of their screening exam, ranging from 1 year to 10 years. These procedures should be treated as preventive services and not subject to patient cost-sharing.” “We hope that the Secretary will join us in this effort to save lives and thwart this public health crisis.” This letter was co-signed by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Rep. Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09), Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11), Rep. John Mannion (NY-22), Rep. Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Rep. Bill Keating (MA-09), Rep. Seth Moulton (MA-06), Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Rep. Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Rep. Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08), and Rep. Don Davis (NC-06) . This letter was endorsed by American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), Colon Cancer Coalition, Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Digestive Disease National Coalition, Fight CRC . Read the full letter to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy here . Share on