Watertown, NY — Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has awarded Samaritan Medical Center a Health and Wellness Award to launch the North Country Lung Health Equity Initiative, expanding access to potentially lifesaving lung cancer screenings for individuals who are at elevated risk but do not meet current insurance eligibility requirements.
Through the initiative, Samaritan Medical Center will partner with the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Mobile Lung Screening Unit to host free low-dose CT lung cancer screening events throughout the North Country. By bringing the mobile screening unit directly into North Country communities, the program will reduce travel barriers often faced by rural residents while expanding access to preventive care.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in New York State, with approximately 14,000 new cases and nearly 7,000 deaths each year according to the New York State Department of Health. Yet only about 22% of high-risk individuals receive recommended screening. While recent legislation has expanded insurance coverage for many screenings, eligibility is still largely based on age and smoking history, leaving some individuals with significant occupational or environmental exposures without access to covered screening.
“Early detection is one of the most effective tools we have in the fight against lung cancer,” said Samaritan President and CEO Thomas Carman. “We are grateful to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for investing in the health of our community. This initiative will help remove financial and geographic barriers to screening, ensuring more North Country residents have access to early detection and the opportunity for better health outcomes.”
Evidence shows that annual low-dose CT screening for individuals at high risk can reduce lung cancer mortality by up to 20% through earlier detection and treatment. In Jefferson County and the surrounding North Country region, community health data highlights additional risk factors and disparities. According to the Jefferson County Community Health Assessment, approximately 18% of adults report cigarette use—higher than the New York State average—and nicotine use is more common among lower-income residents and those experiencing financial insecurity.
This grant will fund approximately 58 free screenings for individuals whose risk factors fall outside current insurance criteria, including first responders, firefighters, law enforcement personnel, factory workers, and others with exposure to smoke, hazardous materials, or other carcinogens. Funding will also support community education and outreach efforts to raise awareness of lung cancer risk factors, screening opportunities, and available follow-up resources.
Samaritan will promote the initiative through healthcare providers, community organizations, public safety agencies, local media, and its digital platforms to reach eligible individuals throughout the region. The North Country Lung Health Equity Initiative reflects Samaritan Medical Center’s ongoing commitment to improving access to preventive healthcare and reducing health disparities across the communities it serves.
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