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Dinowitz Colon Cancer bill passes
Fernandez secures state funding for
local struggling Bronx libraries
too clear that New Yorkers need
their libraries more than ever
and we look forward to a summer
of renewal. Your generous
funding support will help the
Pelham Parkway-Van Nest, Allerton,
libraries provide even more
for the community.”
These libraries were
awarded funding through a
program passed in this year’s
state budget for targeted aid via
education funding, referred to
as ‘Bullet Aid’. The funding will
go to various programs within
each library.
Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez secures funding for libraries in her
district. Photos courtesy of Offi ce of Assebmylwoman Fernandez
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J BTR UNE 18-24, 2021 49
BY BRONX TIMES
The effort to combat colorectal
cancer in New York
has taken another step forward
with the passage of legislation
(A2085A) from Assemblyman
Jeffrey Dinowitz.
The measure aims to expand
access to colorectal cancer
screenings, which reduces
the odds of being diagnosed
with colon cancer from 1 in 17
to 1 in 100. Specifi cally, the bill
would require that insurance
providers include coverage for
these screenings for everyone
who is considered to be “average
risk” by the American
Cancer Society. This threshold
is currently set at age 45
and preventative screenings
include both lab tests and follow
up colonoscopies.
“Cancer screenings save
lives. Sadly, African Americans
are about 20% more
likely to get colorectal cancer
and about 40% more likely to
die from it than most other
groups,” said American Cancer
Society Cancer Action Network
Senior New York Government
Relations Director
Julie Hart. “This legislation
is an important step to reduce
disparities in colorectal cancer
mortality rates,” . “New
Yorkers should not have to
face the possibility of forgoing
a possible life-saving colonoscopy
because they do not have
the resources to pay for it.
We are grateful to Assembly
Member Jeff Dinowitz for his
commitment to reducing disparities
and fi ghting colorectal
cancer.”
The issue of colon cancer
risk among younger people
was highlighted by the death
of actor Chadwick Boseman
in 2020. Unfortunately, despite
medical evidence that
preventative screenings have
a signifi cant benefi t in reducing
cancer fatalities, some
insurance companies may
not cover all types of preventative
screenings or may pass
those costs onto customers
in the form of deductibles or
other fees. This means that
people are often asked to pay
out-of-pocket for these procedures,
often resulting in the
deferral of colorectal cancer
screenings until after treatment
is less likely to be successful.
According to the American
Cancer Society, most
colorectal cancers start as a
growth (polyp) on the inner
lining of the colon or rectum.
Certain types of polyps are
more likely to become cancerous,
but these polyps are
only discernable through the
use of screening exams.
The legislation is awaiting
action by the State Senate.
“Countless studies have
demonstrated that it is far
more affordable and far more
effective to catch cancer
early, especially colorectal
cancer,” Dinowitz said. “This
legislation is low-hanging
fruit – with immediate fi scal
costs falling on multi-billion
dollar insurance providers
who ultimately should save
money in the long-term due
to the avoidance of later complications.
I am very grateful
to the advocates who helped
fi ght for this bill to pass, and
I am hopeful that the State
Senate will follow suit before
session ends.”
ACS wants the Senate to pass the colon cancer screening bill. Courtesy of Twitter of American Cancer Society
BY BRONX TIMES
Assemblywoman Nathalia
Fernandez announced Thursday
the allocation of $10,000 to
each of the local libraries in
the 80th Assembly District .
“Libraries are cornerstones
of a healthy community,
they are safe havens for
so many people and provide
many valuable resources beyond
just books,” Fernandez
said. “As our communities
start coming back after this
pandemic we need to ensure
that our libraries are more
equipped than ever to continue
servicing our communities.
I am proud to be able to
provide this funding to help
bring our libraries back.”
Gesille Dixon, borough
director of the Bronx Neighborhood
Library Networks at
The New York Public Library,
praised the assemblywoman
for the fi nancial boost.
“Thank you, Assembly
Member Fernandez, for your
continued support of Bronx libraries,”
Dixon said. “The New
York Public Library is eager to
continue to welcome patrons
back to our branches and embrace
a new chapter of service.
The pandemic has made it all
Morris Park, and Mosholu
essential programs and services
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