[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 136 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LAZIO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 2, 1998

  Mr. LAZIO of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
legislation that was introduced by Congressman Bilirakis. This 
legislation is a necessary step to ensure that the most promising 
research receives the attention it deserves and that women receive the 
best screening and prevention methods available.
  The Women's Health Research & Prevention Amendments of 1998 includes 
a section that will renew the CDC National Breast and Cervical Cancer 
Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). More than 1 million women in this 
country who otherwise would not have the benefit of early cancer 
detection have been screened by this excellent program. Since the 
inception of the NBCCEDP, over 3,400 women have been diagnosed with 
cancer.
  Breast and cervical cancer is devastating. One in eight women will 
develop breast cancer. Today, 2.6 million women are living with breast 
cancer. Every three minutes a woman is diagnosed and every 11 minutes a 
woman dies of breast cancer. Additionally, 13,700 women will be 
diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer. Deaths related to cervical 
cancer will total 3,900 this year. These startling statistics prove the 
importance of education, screening, early detection, and treatment.
  In collaboration with Congressman Bilirakis, I drafted language to 
expand the services provided under this program. Women diagnosed with 
cancer through this program will now be able to rely on case managers 
to help them obtain the care they need and the care they deserve.
  Case management in this CDC screening program is a critical component 
in most states' programs. My language would ensure that all women who 
are diagnosed case managers. Women need expert advice as they face the 
challenges posed by breast and cervical cancer. We are ensuring that 
today every woman has as much knowledge as possible to take control of 
her own life and obtain the care she needs to fight her cancer.
  I would like to take this opportunity to point out that I am pleased 
to be an original sponsor of Congressman Bilirakis' legislation. I 
thank him for accommodating my concerns and taking this important first 
step in addressing a critical problem facing underserved women in this 
nation.
  There are thousands of medically underserved women who need access to 
critical health care. We must continue to look for long term solutions 
to the challenge of ensuring treatment for women served under this CDC-
funded program. Case management is vitally important, however, as more 
women are screened and more cancers are diagnosed through this program, 
ensuring care for all who need it will place increasing stress on 
fragile and overburdened treatment systems.
  Earlier this year, I introduced legislation that solves this problem 
for women screened through the CDC program. My bill, The Breast and 
Cervical Cancer Treatment Act, H.R. 3779, will strengthen an already 
strong program by allowing case managers to serve those women diagnosed 
with cancer in a more timely manner. Currently, program managers must 
rely on outside funding sources for treatment--a process that requires 
time, labor, and resources. My bill gives states the option to help 
these women find the appropriate care through Medicaid. Additionally, 
my bill would free up resources, especially time and money, so that 
case managers can focus efforts on bringing more women into the program 
to take advantage of early cancer screening. My legislation will make 
the CDC screening program a complete success and should be enacted as 
well.
  I am hopeful that Congress will take the necessary steps to make the 
program stronger through the passage of The Women's Health Research and 
Prevention Amendments of 1998. Not only does this legislation 
reauthorize the NBCCEDP, but it also addresses many other quality 
programs in women's health at the NIH and the CDC. The legislation 
reauthorizes research on osteoporosis, cancer, heart attack, stroke, 
and aging at the NIH. Under the CDC, this bill also reauthorizes the 
National Center for Health Statistics, National Program of Cancer 
Registries, and the Centers for Research and Demonstrations of Health 
Promotion and Disease Prevention.
  I urge all my colleagues to cosponsor Mr. Bilirakis' legislation and 
do our share to ensure that women can be screened, treated, and cured 
of breast and cervical cancer.

                          ____________________