WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 3, 2009 – Breast cancer patients, survivors and advocates across the nation celebrated the adoption of an amendment to the U.S. Senate health reform bill by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) that would ensure access to potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings, with no cost sharing for patients. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Advocacy Alliance (KAA) supported the amendment’s passage as “a critical safeguard” that will “ensure women have access to potentially life-saving cancer screenings like mammography.”
“In the wake of the recent change in breast cancer screening guidelines by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, women all across the country are afraid and confused about whether their access to routine mammograms will be limited,” said Jennifer Luray, president of the Komen Advocacy Alliance. “One-third of women who qualify for screening today are not being screened due to a lack of access, education or awareness. We are concerned that this confusion will drive even more women away from screening.
“As such, the Komen Advocacy Alliance is pleased that the Senate today adopted Senator Mikulski’s amendment, which will allow women access to cancer screenings like mammography at no cost. This is an important step forward that provides essential clarity.
“Senator Mikulski has long been a champion of women’s health and breast cancer. We thank the Senator and her co-sponsors for their leadership on this issue,” said Luray.
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