Raising awareness of the racial disparities in the impact of colorectal cancer on the Black community.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 239
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-21: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-03-23T11:40:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 239) aims to raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of colorectal cancer (CRC) on the Black community, highlighting racial disparities in incidence, mortality, and survival rates. It emphasizes the need for increased screening, research into contributing factors, and policy actions to address these inequities.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes background "Whereas" clauses detailing CRC statistics and disparities, followed by six main directives for the House of Representatives:
- Recognition of impact: Acknowledges the deadly effects of CRC on all Americans.
- Acknowledgment of disparities: Highlights the higher rates of CRC incidence (20% higher for Black men, 14% higher for Black women) and mortality (40% higher for Black men, 25% higher for Black women) compared to non-Hispanic Whites, with Black Americans having the lowest five-year survival rate.
- Encouragement for CDC actions: Urges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand efforts to identify causes of racial disparities in CRC screening and develop strategies to eliminate them.
- Promotion of screening: Encourages all individuals to undergo CRC screening as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (an independent panel that advises on preventive health services).
- Research encouragement: Calls on the CDC to study environmental factors and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate physiological factors contributing to elevated CRC risk in young adults (noting a 1.9% annual increase in deaths among those under 55 from 2011–2019, with projections of it becoming the leading cancer cause for ages 20–49 by 2030).
- Urging state health plans: Pushes state health insurance plans to adopt coverage for CRC screenings at younger ages, with priority for the Black community and other high-risk groups (citing that 19% of racial disparities in death rates stem from lower screening rates, and early detection yields a 90% survival rate).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no enforceable changes to existing laws or regulations. It serves as a statement of congressional intent rather than creating new legal obligations.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: May prompt the CDC and NIH to prioritize and expand research and outreach on CRC disparities, potentially leading to increased funding or program adjustments without mandating them.
- On citizens: Could boost public awareness, encouraging higher screening rates (especially in underserved Black communities) and earlier detection, which might reduce mortality over time. It highlights the role of figures like actor Chadwick Boseman's death in sparking conversations.
- On international relations: No direct impact, as the resolution focuses on domestic U.S. health issues.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Black community: Primary focus, as the resolution addresses their higher CRC burden and calls for targeted interventions.
- General public and high-risk groups: All Americans, particularly younger adults and those under 55, encouraged to pursue screenings.
- Healthcare and research entities: CDC, NIH, state health plans, and medical providers, urged to enhance strategies, research, and coverage.
- Policymakers: Members of Congress and state officials, influenced to consider health equity in future legislation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no force of law and cannot compel action, but it could support future binding legislation on health disparities.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's role in promoting general welfare (under Article I, Section 8), without raising separation-of-powers issues.
- Political: Signals bipartisan attention to racial health inequities (introduced by a diverse group of representatives), potentially advancing discussions on public health policy and equity without partisan controversy. It underscores the value of awareness campaigns in addressing systemic disparities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Cosponsors (10)
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-21: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-03-21: Submitted in House
- 2025-03-21: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Raising awareness of the racial disparities in the impact of colorectal cancer on the Black community. — issued 2025-03-21 — PDF (3 pages)