MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama consistently ranks among the worst states in the country for health and access, so Alabama Representative Ed Oliver (R-DeDeville) is aiming to improve both. Two bills were introduced.
The first, House Bill 45, would require the Alabama Medicaid Agency to cover non-invasive colorectal cancer screening tests, as well as subsequent colonoscopies if there is a positive result. It’s a thing.
“It’s very simple. It’s a small amount of money. As a good Republican, I’m very sensitive about money,” Oliver told the Alabama Daily News on Monday.
“This is one expense that we believe will save the state a lot of money in the long run for a very small amount of money when you look at the number of colorectal cancer cases for Medicaid patients. ”
According to the National Cancer Institute, Alabama’s colon cancer incidence rate is 40.1 per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national rate of 36.4. The state’s colon cancer mortality rate is also higher than the national rate, at 14.4 and 12.9 per 100,000 people.
The bill, which is less than two pages long, would require the Alabama Medicaid Agency to provide Medicaid recipients with free colorectal cancer screening tests assigned an A or B grade by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (such as Cologuard). The system requires patients to be able to: Self-test at home.
Oliver, who also chairs the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee, said addressing the state’s health care problems, which have been exacerbated by rural hospitals shutting down services, remains a top priority. said.
“Although I spend most of my time working on veterans issues, I still have a very good team working on health care issues through local legislators and the Republican caucus, and I’m doing everything I can to get people involved in this issue. I think it’s important.
The option Oliver said he is not yet willing to accept, at least for now, would expand the state’s Medicaid program under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, which would give the state significant federal funding. This will provide medical insurance to the people. It is estimated that there will be an additional 300,000 Alabamians.
“There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed before we can consider expanding Medicaid,” he said.
Oliver’s other bill, House Bill 46, would increase the state tax credit for doctors practicing in rural areas from $5,000 to $10,000 a year.
The bill, which Oliver vetoed in 2023, would also amend language regarding tax credit eligibility, allowing doctors who practice in rural areas to live a little too far away to qualify for the program. He cited problems in his own district. he was working
State lawmakers have introduced a number of bills with varying degrees of success to address the shrinking access to health care in Alabama’s rural areas.
For example, Rep. Terry Collins (R-Decatur) proposed a bill earlier this year that would provide up to $80 million a year to local hospitals by making donations to them tax deductible. The bill ultimately did not pass.
“We’re trying to get doctors to practice in rural areas,” Oliver said. “Price increases are really just a reflection of economic conditions.”
Oliver’s HB45 is assigned to the House Health Committee and HB46 is assigned to the House Ways and Means and Education Committee. The 2025 legislative session begins on February 4th.
