Lt. Governor Carney Meets With Aetna Officials

Stresses State's Commitment To Cancer Screenings

Lt. Governor John Carney today met with officials from Aetna and other state benefit employees to discuss the health care company's recent decision to restrict coverage for a doctor-preferred anesthesia during colonoscopies.

"I wanted to emphasize how important the work we've done to attack cancer mortality has been and the importance we place on prevention and screenings, especially colorectal screenings through colonoscopies," the Lt. Governor said. "As a member of the Cancer Consortium, I know we can't afford to take a step backward when it comes to getting all Delawareans screened for colorectal cancer. Aetna officials were receptive to considering other alternatives to this current policy."

Lt. Governor Carney asked for the meeting after Aetna announced that it was restricting coverage of the anesthetic propofol, which doctors say make patients more comfortable during a colonoscopy.

"We have a nationally recognized Cancer Control Program that has done great work," the Lt. Governor said. "We have a ground-breaking Cancer Treatment Program. I believe that restricting the use of this anesthetic will hurt the progress we've made."

That progress is most notable in the minority population. Delaware has seen a 74% increase in colorectal cancer screenings among African Americans. The State has gone from 39.6% of African Americans getting colorectal screenings in 1999 to 68.9% in 2007. Last year, 45% of all African-Americans who had been screened had done so in the last year.

Lt. Governor Carney said he hoped to hear back from Aetna officials in the next week.