[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 9, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H2661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 URGING SUPPORT FOR H.R. 4386, BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER TREATMENT ACT

  (Mrs. FOWLER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to 
support the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act when it comes to 
the floor later today. This bill will literally save the lives of 
thousands of women.
  In 1990, Congress recognized the importance of screening for breast 
and cervical cancer, and authorized the CDC to provide such services to 
uninsured, low-income women. The program has been very successful, 
screening more than 1 million women. But once these women have been 
diagnosed, many cannot afford the necessary treatment.
  It is time we allowed States to offer treatment to these women 
through their Medicaid programs. I do not want us to look another one 
of these women in the eye and say, you do have cancer, but we cannot 
help you.
  I appreciate the commitment of the Speaker, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hastert), to bring this bill to the floor by Mothers Day, 
out of respect to all women who face these serious health threats. I 
urge my colleagues' support.

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