[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 22, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H8987-H8988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from New York [Mrs. Maloney] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to participate in the 
special order organized by my colleague, the gentlewoman from 
Connecticut [Ms. DeLauro] and the gentlewoman from California [Ms. 
Eshoo] and others to salute October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
  We all know too well the devastating facts. With nearly 200,000 cases 
of breast cancer diagnosed last year, breast cancer is the most common 
cancer among women. I was pleased earlier this year that Congress 
enacted, as part of its balanced budget, my bipartisan bill, the Breast 
Cancer Early Detection Act, to allow for annual mammograms for Medicare 
women. This bill was first introduced in 1992 along with Barbara 
Vucanovich, who is herself a survivor of breast cancer.
  We were very pleased that it was included in the balanced budget this 
year. It certainly makes a very wise investment that will save women's 
lives. But there is much more that needs to be done.
  Once breast cancer is diagnosed, sometimes it is too late. But 
sometimes when treatment is available, a woman can undergo a mastectomy 
which may save her life. Unfortunately, very often we have seen women 
who have been forced to leave the hospital with drainage tubes still 
attached and just like the drive through delivery bill, a national 
outcry forced us to look at the safety of women who were sent home 
hours after a radical mastectomy.
  I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 135, the Breast Cancer 
Patient Protection Act. This bill will eliminate the so-called drive-
through mastectomies by requiring insurance companies to provide at 
least 48 hours of inpatient hospital care following a mastectomy, and a 
minimum of 24

[[Page H8988]]

hours following a lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast 
cancer.
  I am also very proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 164, the 
Reconstructive Breast Surgery Benefits Act, introduced by my colleague 
and friend, the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Eshoo]. This bill 
would require health insurance companies to cover reconstructive breast 
surgery, if they already pay for mastectomies. I am pleased to stand 
with my colleagues in support of the one out of every eight women who 
will get breast cancer in her lifetime.
  Right now thousands of women are signing an electronic petition. The 
on-line petition drive will enable breast cancer patients to become 
activists on behalf of this legislation that would provide them with 
the kind of health care they deserve.
  Many have shared their personal stories. One New York woman wrote, 
and I quote, ``On August 25 of this year, I learned that I did have 
breast cancer. A further study showed that the cancer had traveled to 
my bloodstream. I am 34 years old. I am undergoing chemotherapy and 
will also have radiation. It is absolutely necessary for you in 
government to help women all across the country and to take this 
disease seriously. We depend on our government to protect us, even when 
a devastating illness has befallen us.''
  I quote from another letter. I would like to put a series of them in 
the Record. Quoting, ``I was not in any high risk group for developing 
breast cancer. Yet I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 
1996. I was shocked and it is still very hard for me to accept this 
diagnosis. I opted for a mastectomy. I am still in the process of 
reconstructive surgery. I thank government. You must do more to help 
women like me.''
  Mr. Speaker, we need to make sure mastectomies and reconstructive 
surgery are safe and covered. I thank my colleagues for organizing this 
special order tonight and I salute the women who are facing these 
issues every day. You are our inspiration and we will continue fighting 
for you.

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