H.C.R. 2 Enrolled

RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING CANCER
SCREENING
2000 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Marda Dillree
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR
ENCOURAGING PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES AND EMPLOYERS TO
INCLUDE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE SCREENING AND DETECTION OF
BREAST, COLORECTAL, AND PROSTATE CANCER.
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
WHEREAS, the only states without mandates for private health plans to cover or offer
coverage of mammography screening are Utah and Wyoming;
WHEREAS, scientific evidence has demonstrated that mammography is safe and effective
and is the best way to detect breast cancers early, when they are most treatable, and that additional
lives are saved if women over the age of 40 get mammograms every year;
WHEREAS, the Department of Health is required to provide subsidized screening
mammography for low-income women, and all state Medicaid programs cover mammography
screenings;
WHEREAS, breast cancer affects more than 175,000 women in the United States each
year;
WHEREAS, colorectal cancer, which is diagnosed in 131,000 Americans annually, is the
primary cause of cancer death in the millions of Americans who have never used tobacco;
WHEREAS, early detection testing for colorectal cancer has been definitively proven to
consistently lower disease specific mortality, yet most Americans have not been screened for
colorectal cancer;
WHEREAS, early-detection testing for colorectal cancer is arguably the most powerful,
underused lifesaving examination available in the United States;
WHEREAS, colorectal screening helps prevent colon cancer through early detection of
polyps before they progress into cancer;

WHEREAS, prostate cancer affects 1 in 9 men in the United States and causes 37,000 deaths
annually;
WHEREAS, annual prostate testing for men between the ages of 50 and 75 is the best way
to find prostate cancer and potentially save thousands of lives; and
WHEREAS, screening for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer facilitates early detection
which extends many lives, reduces treatment and costs of treatment and improves the quality of life
for cancer patients:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
Governor concurring therein, encourage employers within the state of Utah to become better
educated about the benefits of regular mammography, colorectal, and prostate cancer screening and
to provide insurance coverage for annual screening for middle aged and older employees.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage health
insurance companies in Utah to cover or offer to cover in all health insurance policies, annual
mammography, colorectal, and prostate cancer screening.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage all citizens
of Utah to become better educated about the health benefits and health care cost benefits of early
cancer detection through mammography, colorectal, and prostate cancer screening.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to each of Utah's
Chambers of Commerce and the Utah Health Insurance Association.

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