[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H9783-H9784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
H.R. 135 AND BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Connecticut [Mr. Maloney] is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, as October is Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, I rise to reflect on those loved ones we have lost to
breast cancer and to offer my support to those who are struggling with
the disease. I also rise to strongly urge an important legislative
response to this killer disease.
Whether we are aware of it or not, all of us know at least one person
who has been affected by breast cancer. The prevalence of this disease
is underscored by some truly alarming statistics. Breast cancer is the
most common form of cancer in women in the United States. And as was
mentioned a minute ago, one in eight women will be diagnosed with the
disease in her lifetime. In my home State of Connecticut alone, 2,000
women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 and approximately
480 women, unfortunately, will succumb to this illness.
Finding a way to eradicate breast cancer must be a national priority.
It is imperative that the public and private sectors continue to devote
sufficient resources for research activities aimed at finding a cure. I
would like to commend my colleagues for their efforts to pass the
fiscal year 1998 Labor, Health and Human Services Education
Appropriations bill, which provides a $764.5 million increase over last
year's level for the National Institutes of Health and $124 million
more for the National Cancer Institute.
Until we find a cure, however, we must ensure that those living with
breast cancer have access to quality health care services. New drugs
and therapies are being developed to ease the suffering of breast
cancer victims and help them lead normal lives. However, as my
colleague, the gentlewoman from Connecticut [Ms. DeLauro] eloquently
stated on the floor of this House the other night, some managed care
organizations are providing inadequate coverage for hospital stays
after women undergo mastectomies.
I find it unconscionable that managed care staffers whose knowledge
of medicine is often limited and whose decisions are influenced by
financial considerations are forcing women out of hospitals in their
time of need. The results of a study conducted on this matter by the
Connecticut Office of Health Care Access are stunning. The report
revealed that the average length of a hospital stay for breast cancer
patients in Connecticut and across the Nation is decreasing, and it is
falling faster for mastectomies than for other inpatient discharges. We
must act to halt this unacceptable trend. Breast cancer patients face
life-and-death decisions, and they should be afforded the peace of mind
that comes with adequate coverage of services.
The gentlewoman from Connecticut [Ms. DeLauro] and I, together with
194 of our colleagues, have introduced legislation to address this
problem. I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Breast Cancer Patient
Protection Act, critical legislation which provides important
safeguards for those afflicted with breast cancer. This measure will
guarantee coverage of a maximum hospital stay of 48 hours for a woman
having a mastectomy and 24 hours for a woman undergoing a lymph node
removal. This is the least we can do for patients who have just endured
a traumatic and painful surgical procedure. And consistent with other
efforts to regulate managed care plans, and ensure quality health care,
this legislation helps to empower women to make their own health care
choices, and gives doctors the ability to make appropriate medical
decisions.
Unfortunately, the Congress has not taken action on this legislation.
The Sapient Health Network has created a web page and is asking people
to sign their ``Breast Cancer Care'' petition urging Congress to
schedule hearings on the Breast Cancer Protection Act. Thousands of
Americans have contacted that website to express their support for this
critical legislation.
{time} 2045
This web site also contains a number of testimonials from breast
cancer survivors, patients, and family members of victims.
I would like to close by reading the moving statements of two
Connecticut residents whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.
One reads: ``I am a breast cancer survivor who was fortunate enough to
have my reconstruction covered by my insurance company, thanks to some
careful wording by my plastic surgeon. I had my mastectomy and
reconstruction at the same time just 4 years ago, and my surgeon said
that I would be in the hospital 4 to 5 days. I can't imagine going home
any sooner, especially with the drains still in me. Unfortunately I
developed an infection and stayed 21 days. What if that infection
hadn't shown up before I was sent home?''
Another Connecticut resident writes: ``In May of 1997, I was
diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately it was detected through a
mammogram at a very early stage. I've had a lumpectomy, lymph node
dissection, and radiation. The laws need to be supportive and
realistic. These are our mothers and sisters and wives and daughters
that we're talking about.''
Mr. Speaker, now is the time for us to intensify our efforts to
eliminate breast cancer. I urge my colleagues to support the Breast
Cancer Patient Protection Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. McCollum). Under a previous order of the
House, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Ewing] is recognized for 5
minutes.
[[Page H9784]]
[Mr. EWING addressed the House. His remarks will appear hereafter in
the Extensions of Remarks.]
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