WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 16, 2009 – The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Advocacy Alliance announced today its support of an amendment to the U.S. Senate health reform bill by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) that would ensure cancer patients have access to clinical trials.
“The Senate health reform bill includes valuable patient protections like new out-of-pocket spending limits for patients with high medical bills, ending discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions and ensuring access to affordable cancer screening for all,” said Jennifer Luray, president of the Komen Advocacy Alliance. “However, we continue to push for access to clinical trials.
“Clinical trials help scientists deliver new scientific discoveries to patients and offer a lifeline for people with life-threatening illnesses like cancer; yet, less than 5 percent of cancer patients participate in clinical trials today.
“Some cancer patients are denied access to clinical trials because their insurance won’t cover the costs. A bipartisan amendment to the Senate health reform bill by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) will aid cancer patients by requiring health insurers to cover routine patient care costs for participation in a clinical trial,” said Luray. “Removing barriers to participation will help patients gain access to the highest quality of care available and help advance our scientific knowledge.”
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