Breast cancer and the healthcare reform

Women's lives in danger

In America, thousands of women's lives could be saved by one simple test - yet to those who don't have health insurance, the test comes too late.

According to the American Cancer Society, this year alone an estimated 40,170 women will lose their lives to breast cancer. Meanwhile, it is estimated that 4000 breast cancer deaths could be prevented just by increasing the percentage of women who receive breast cancer screenings - namely, mammograms - to 90 percent.

Mammograms

Having the opportunity to have a mammogram means that breast cancer can be treated with early detection. This is why health insurance pays for mammograms. But between 2003 and 2005, mammography rates declined, with a notable decrease for Hispanic women, from 65 percent to 59 percent, and in African-American women, from 70 percent to 65 percent.

Not only that, but it is estimated that one in five women over 50 has not received a mammogram in the past two years.

Insurance

In 2007, there was an estimated 21 million women and girls without health insurance, according to the US Census Bureau. Also, a recent congressional report found that 18 percent of all women not eligible for Medicare are uninsured, which translates to 28 percent of 19 to 24 year olds and 26 percent of single mothers without insurance.

It begs the question, why are there so many women without insurance? Wicked Local Melrose believe it's because many medical situations faced by women are treated as pre-existing conditions, including breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimated that in 2004 approximately 2.4 million women had a history of breast cancer. But without continuing coverage, cancer survivors face steep risks.

Healthcare reform

If the healthcare reform is passed, it could be highly beneficial to women in America.

According to Women and Healthcare Reform

* Preventive care is a hallmark in all proposed legislation and can be covered by community health centers and women's clinics. Maternity care is included in the basic benefits package;

* No American can be denied health coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition, including breast cancer, pregnancy or evidence of uninsurability such as being a victim of domestic violence;

* Insurance policies will be required to continue offering dependent coverage for children as young adults until they turn 26. Coverage will be available for young women and men who join the labor market after schooling in jobs less likely to have health insurance benefits. Thus they can continue on their parents' plan during their transition from school to work.

* Low-income families, which are disproportionately headed by single women, will have access to affordable cost-sharing credit subsidies as part of the Health Insurance Exchange program as outlined in HR 3200.

* An end to sex-based insurance rates resulting in women paying more for individual coverage.

Any healthcare reform proposal should take into consideration and include access to comprehensive care, including preventative care such as mammograms. Americans, men and women alike, understand this need.

Like this article? Get the RSS feed: