[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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