National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, 2021

In simple terms

President Biden proclaims March 2021 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, urging Americans to pursue screenings and preventive care disrupted by COVID-19. The proclamation highlights racial disparities in colorectal cancer outcomes, promotes existing ACA screening coverage and a special Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment period through May 15, 2021, and references the Cancer Moonshot Initiative and ACCSIS program.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 12519

Record & deadlines

Mar 1, 2021Signed
Signed by the President
Mar 4, 2021FR published
Published in the Federal Register · 86 FR 12519
Federal Register PDF
May 15, 2021
Special Enrollment Period for Health Insurance Marketplace ends

Key directives

proclaim March 2021 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
encourage citizens, government agencies, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and other groups to join awareness and prevention activities
urge Americans not to delay recommended screenings, doctor's visits, and treatments

What to expect

Immediate

March 2021 designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Near term (90d)

Special Enrollment Period for Health Insurance Marketplace through May 15, 2021

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine screenings, creating backlog; proclamation urges resumption but provides no enforcement mechanism
references to ACA coverage and existing programs (Cancer Moonshot, ACCSIS) are descriptive rather than directive
disparities highlighted (Black Americans, communities of color, rural Americans) but no new targeted interventions mandated