Woonsocket Radio News Room

STATE HOUSE – The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin requiring full insurance coverage of colorectal cancer screenings.

The legislation (2020-S 2317A) would require health insurers to cover preventive colorectal cancer screening for all colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests in accordance with American Cancer Society Guidelines. This coverage must be provided without cost-sharing and includes an initial screening and a follow-up colonoscopy if the results of the screening are abnormal.

American Cancer Society Guidelines recommend that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer in the United States. In 2020, 430 Rhode Islanders will receive a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Screening may lower the number of deaths due to colorectal cancer by as much as half.

“I can personally attest to how critically important it is that everyone is able to get recommended colorectal cancer screening. Cancer screening is routine preventive care that catches cancer early and saves lives as well as reducing health care costs down the road. Copays, cost-sharing and insurers that don’t cover pre-screening only discourage people from getting the care they need to protect themselves. This legislation will save lives by increasing access to these life-saving screenings,” said Senator Goodwin, who is currently undergoing treatment for colon cancer herself.

The bill now goes to the House, where Rep. Mia A. Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln) is sponsoring companion legislation (2020-H 7396).

We're expecting more information soon after Homeland Security says an ICE agent was forced to shoot and kill a protester in Minneapolis. Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said the woman was protesting ICE when she allegedly rammed her car into federal agents. Residents have since gathered in the street, throwing snow balls at the agents and as a result law enforcement deployed pepper spray and tear gas.        The White House says the current Venezuelan government is cooperating with the U.S. after the latest seizure of two Venezuela-linked oil tankers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the interim government has asked to work with the U.S. to get the oil back. Rubio it shows leadership knows the only way Venezuela can move forward and generate revenue is to cooperate with the Trump administration.        Minnesota officials are testifying at a Congressional hearing on government fraud allegations involving daycares and other services in the state. Three Republican state lawmakers are appearing before the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The Trump administration says it has boots on the ground in Minneapolis in the form of federal agents investigating the alleged fraud.        The son of actor-director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, is being arraigned in Los Angeles. Nick Reiner has been charged for their stabbing deaths at their Los Angeles home last month. On Monday, People magazine reported that Nick Reiner was removed from a suicide watch at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles. Today, TMZ reported attorney Alan Jackson will no longer represent Reiner and he will be represented by a public defender.        The new generation of LEGO toys is aiming to get kids away from their screens. LEGO rolled out its new SMART Play system at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show convention in Las Vegas. The new design features the SMART Brick, which includes technology such as proximity sensors, accelerometers, and speakers. The platform is set to launch on March 1st.        Netflix is giving a sneak peek at its slate of movies and shows coming this year. The streaming giant dropped a four-minute video Wednesday that teases some of the more than 160 shows and movies confirmed to be on the way. They include "Enola Holmes 3," season 4 of "Bridgerton" and the "Peaky Blinders" movie.       

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