Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act

Ros-Lehtinen To Co-Sponsor Legislation That Would Allow Doctors, Not Insurance Companies To Decide Length Of Treatment For Breast Cancer Patients

IMS Observations    
We fully support The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act and hope to soon see legislation titled the Breast Cancer Screening Act that would allow people, not insurance companies, to decide which breast cancer screening modality is right for them.  Then the option for Infrared Mammography, which does not use painful breast compressions or radiation to find cancer up to 8 years before X-Ray Mammograms, would be available to more women through their insurance plan.


South Beach Community Examiner - April 9, 2009
By George Houck IV
Washington, DC --- Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a senior member of the Florida Congressional Delegation, along with over 200 of her colleagues reintroduced The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act that would end drive through mastectomies, which is the practice of sending breast cancer patients home because their insurance company refuses to pay for further treatment.

The legislation will help to ensure that breast cancer patients have access to appropriate care by allowing a woman and her doctor to decide whether she should recuperate from a mastectomy or lumpectomy in the hospital for up to 48 hours or whether she has enough support to get quality care at home.  The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act would help ensure that any decision in favor of a shorter or longer hospital stay will be made by the patient and her doctor, not an overbearing insurance company.

Said Ros-Lehtinen, "The time has come to pass this common sense, compassionate legislation in support of women's health. When faced with breast cancer, the last thing anyone should have to do is fight their insurance company for basic health care."

This bill is supported by high profile organizations, including the Susan G. Komen, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Cancer Society.


Source Link    
http://www.examiner.com/x-4320-South-Beach-Community-Examiner~y2009m4d9-Breast-Cancer-Patient-Protection-Act