[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 5, 2024)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 15937-15938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04818]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 5, 2024 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 15937]]


                Proclamation 10705 of February 29, 2024

                
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, 2024

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The second leading cause of cancer death in the United 
                States today is colorectal cancer, and approximately 
                150,000 people in this country will be diagnosed with 
                the disease this year. During National Colorectal 
                Cancer Awareness Month, we honor all the Americans we 
                have lost to this cancer, those currently living with 
                or surviving it, and the loved ones who stand firmly by 
                their side. We recommit to supporting all those helping 
                drive progress against cancer and delivering incredible 
                care to those facing this disease. We affirm our goal 
                of ending cancer as we know it, once and for all.

                As a country, we have made impressive progress in the 
                struggle to end cancer over the past several decades 
                due to advancements in prevention, early-detection 
                measures, and new medicines and therapies. Despite 
                remarkable breakthroughs, every year, more Americans 
                are diagnosed with cancer under the age of 50. Earlier 
                detection and improved treatment of colorectal cancer 
                continue to be critical goals of medical research. 
                Further progress is also needed to improve outcomes for 
                those who are disproportionately impacted by this 
                disease--including Americans over the age of 45, Native 
                Americans, Black Americans, and people with a family 
                history of colorectal cancer.

                There is still more work to be done to ensure more 
                Americans can prevent, detect, treat, and survive 
                colorectal cancer. That is why the First Lady and I 
                reignited the Cancer Moonshot with the ambition to cut 
                the cancer death rate by at least half in the next 25 
                years and improve the experience of patients and 
                families touched by cancer. I worked with the Congress 
                to secure $2.5 billion in bipartisan funding for the 
                Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). 
                The scientists, innovators, and public health 
                professionals funded by ARPA-H are working day and 
                night to create a quantum leap in the prevention, 
                detection, and treatment of cancer and other deadly, 
                life-threatening, and life-altering diseases. Along the 
                way, they are forging partnerships to deliver results 
                to the people who need them most. ARPA-H is also 
                partnering with the National Institutes of Health, the 
                National Cancer Institute, and other agencies to 
                develop a new Biomedical Data Fabric Toolbox for 
                Cancer, which will ensure that knowledge gained through 
                research is available to as many experts as possible, 
                with the goal of delivering groundbreaking innovations 
                to patients sooner.

                My Administration is also working tirelessly to get 
                patients and their loved ones some much-needed 
                breathing room by making cancer treatments more 
                affordable. I was proud to strengthen Medicaid and the 
                Affordable Care Act by expanding health care coverage 
                to millions of Americans. Millions of people are saving 
                $800 per year on health insurance premiums as a result 
                of this extension. In addition, through the Inflation 
                Reduction Act, the total out-of-pocket prescription 
                drug costs for seniors and others with Medicare will be 
                capped at $2,000 per year--including amounts they are 
                required to pay for expensive cancer medications. For 
                those on Medicare, we have also expanded access to 
                health services that make it easier for patients and 
                their families to navigate the complexities of cancer 
                care. That

[[Page 15938]]

                includes dental services for people receiving certain 
                kinds of cancer treatment, guidance from individuals 
                who can help coordinate between health care teams, and 
                community-based social services that can provide 
                support outside of the health care system.

                The independent United States Preventive Services Task 
                Force recommends regular colorectal cancer screenings 
                for all Americans starting at age 45. Colonoscopies and 
                other preventive practices can detect cancer early, 
                averting the disease before it starts. It is also 
                recommended that all Americans should consult a doctor 
                if they experience symptoms such as blood in their 
                stool, a change in bowel activity, abdominal pain, 
                bloating, persistent cramps, or unexplained weight 
                loss. As part of my Administration's efforts to ensure 
                people are able to receive timely screening, the 
                Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently 
                finalized a rule stating that no Medicare beneficiary 
                has to pay for a diagnostic colonoscopy after a 
                positive non-invasive screening test, like at-home 
                stool-based tests.

                Nearly every family in America has been touched by 
                cancer--including mine. During National Colorectal 
                Cancer Awareness Month, let us recognize the absolute 
                courage and strength of patients, survivors, and their 
                families by coming together as a country to provide the 
                support and hope they need.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2024 as 
                National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage 
                all citizens, government agencies, private businesses, 
                non-profit organizations, and other groups to join in 
                activities that will increase awareness and prevention 
                of colorectal cancer. I also encourage Americans to 
                visit HealthCare.gov and learn more about signing up 
                for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of February, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of 
                the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                eighth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2024-04818
Filed 3-4-24; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3395-F4-P