Dahlkemper: Keep Mammogram Coverage for Women
Congresswoman urges mammogram access and coverage remain unaffected by new age recommendations
Washington—Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-3) is urging House leaders responsible for crafting the final health care reform legislation to include assurances that women will have access to mammography services. In a letter to House leadership, Dahlkemper and 18 of her House colleagues asked that any health reform bill include provisions to ensure no woman 40 and older lose access to their mammography coverage.
Last week, the United States Preventative Services Task Force, an independent panel of private-sector health care experts, recommended major changes to current breast cancer screening standards. The panel recommended that women screen for breast cancer every two years, beginning at age 50. For years, the panel recommended that women begin annual breast cancer screenings when they reach 40 years old.
“While we recognize the mission of the Task Force and respect their efforts to bring an impartial assessment of the scientific evidence available for preventative services, we are concerned about the impact these recommendations could have on insurance coverage of the mammography services women between the ages of 40-49 have relied on for years,” the Members say in the letter. “Additional research should be conducted as to the benefits and risks of routine mammography screening before any women’s health insurance coverage for mammogram services is discontinued.”
In addition the Congresswoman Dahlkemper, the letter was signed by Reps. Charlie Wilson (OH-6), Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15), Adam Smith (WA-9), Christopher Carney (PA-10), Leonard Boswell (IA-3), Parker Griffith (AL-5), Patrick Murphy (PA-8), Glenn Nye (VA-2), Tim Bishop (NY-1), Jane Harman (CA-36), Lincoln Davis (TN-4), Michael Michaud (MA-2), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Donna Edwards (MD-4), Jim Moran (VA-9), Tim Ryan (OH-17) and Dennis Moore (KS-3).
The text of the letter is below.
November 20, 2009
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
The Honorable Steny H. Hoyer
House Majority Leader
The Honorable Charles Rangel
Chairman
Ways and Means Committee
The Honorable Henry Waxman
Chairman
Energy and Commerce Committee
The Honorable George Miller
Chairman
Education and Labor Committee
Dear Colleagues:
We are writing to express our concerns about the potential impact the recent breast cancer screening recommendations made by the United States Preventatives Services Task Force could have on women’s access to mammography services. Therefore, as Congress works to fix our broken health care system, we ask that any health reform bill considered in the future by the House of Representatives include provisions to ensure no woman 40 and older lose access to their mammography coverage.
It is estimated that one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and nearly everyone has had a relative or friend affected by this potentially deadly diagnosis. In the interest of early detection and intervention, many women in their 40s have heeded the advice of professionals who have recommended annual mammograms for women over the age of 40. Having insurance providers cover mammograms has ensured that financial concerns are not a factor in a women’s decision whether or not to be screened, helping to make sure this decision is made between a woman and her medical provider.
However, on November 16, 2009, the United States Preventative Services Task Force released new recommendations against routine mammography screening for breast cancer in women between the ages of 40 and 49. While we recognize the mission of the Task Force and respect their efforts to bring an impartial assessment of the scientific evidence available for preventative services, we are concerned about the impact these recommendations could have on insurance coverage of the mammography services women between the ages of 40-49 have relied on for years. Given that the Task Force is just one of many groups involved in evaluating scientific research, we believe that additional research should be conducted as to the benefits and risks of routine mammography screening before any women’s health insurance coverage for mammogram services is discontinued.
H.R. 3962 makes significant improvements to the health care system by reducing costs, eliminating pre-existing conditions and prohibiting insurance companies from cutting off coverage for those who become ill. Women with breast cancer will benefit from these protections currently included in H.R. 3962. However, we respectfully ask that any health reform legislation voted on in the future by the House of Representatives include provisions to protect women’s access to mammography services and prevent insurers from rolling back said coverage until additional research can be conducted.
Thank you for you attention to this important and timely matter. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the signed Members.
Sincerely,
Charlie Wilson (OH-6)
Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-3)
Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15)
Adam Smith (WA-9)
Christopher Carney (PA-10)
Leonard Boswell (IA-3)
Parker Griffith (AL-5)
Patrick Murphy (PA-8)
Glenn Nye (VA-2)
Tim Bishop (NY-1)
Jane Harman (CA-36)
Lincoln Davis (TN-4)
Michael Michaud (MA-2)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Marcy Kaptur (OH-9)
Donna Edwards (MD-4)
Jim Moran (VA-9)
Tim Ryan (OH-17)
Dennis Moore (KS-3)