Panel Discussion on Prostate Cancer Policy Initiatives and Needs – Federal and State

Moderator: Mr. Anthony “Tony” Hill

Panelists:

Ms. Shonta Chambers, Executive Vice President of Health Equity Initiatives and Community Engagement, Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)

State Representative Goffrey A. “GA” Hardaway Sr., 93rd District of Tennessee

State Representative Dontavius Jarrells, 1st District of Ohio

Mr. James Williams, Director of Federal Relations, American Cancer Society

PHEN Policy Coordinator Anthony “Tony” Hill moderated a panel discussion at the first session of the 20^th Annual African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit. Initially, State Representative Dontavius Jarrells from the 1^st District of Ohio discussed the PSA Screening for HIM Act, which is a bipartisan bill that would require private insurers to waive any cost-sharing fees for prostate cancer screening among men at a high risk of the disease.

He explained a similar bill was passed in Ohio for women with breast cancer. Mr. James Williams from the American Cancer Society also discussed the co-sponsors of the bill.

State Representative Goffrey A. Hardaway Sr. From the 93^rd District of Tennessee went over how prostate cancer advocates need to bring awareness and education to the same level as in the realm of breast cancer. “That is our moonshot – to try to put prostate cancer on the level [as breast cancer] in terms of education, treatment, and survival rates,” said State Representative Hardaway.

Ms. Shonta Chambers discussed the social and economic consequences behind prostate cancer, such as income and employment. She stated these factors are important to develop effective policies.