[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 70 (Monday, May 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             WOMEN'S BREAST CANCER RECOVERY ACT, H.R. 1485

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                         HON. FRANK A. LoBIONDO

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 21, 2001

  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of a bill 
I recently introduced, H.R. 1485, the Women's Breast Cancer Recovery 
Act of 2001, along with my colleague, Representative Sue Myrick. This 
important piece of legislation would provide a significant measure of 
relief for women across our nation who are confronted by breast cancer. 
We introduce this bill on behalf of women who are now fighting the 
battle against breast cancer, and for any friends and relatives who may 
have lost a loved one to this terrible disease.
  Specifically, our legislation would require insurance plans that 
currently provide breast cancer medical and surgical benefits to 
guarantee medically appropriate and adequate in-patient care following 
a mastectomy, lumpectomy or lymph node dissection. In particular, our 
bill will stop the practice of ``drive-through'' mastectomies. This 
legislation will also protect doctors from any penalties or reductions 
in reimbursement from insurance plans when they follow their judgment 
on what is medically appropriate and necessary for the patient.
  Most importantly, group health insurers will not be able to provide 
``bonuses'' or any other financial incentives to a physician in order 
to keep in-patient stays below certain limits, or limit referrals to 
second opinions.
  Our legislation also requires health care providers to pay for 
secondary consultations when test results come back either negative or 
positive. This provision will give all patients the benefit of a second 
opinion in relation to diagnosing all types of cancer, not just breast 
cancer.
  I am proud to say that the Women's Cancer Recovery Act will empower 
women to determine the best course of care. Recovery time from a 
mastectomy will not be decided by an insurance company actuary. Rather, 
it will be decided by someone with medical expertise, which, in most 
cases, is the familiar face of the woman's doctor.
  I hope that this legislation will at least ease some of the fear 
associated with mastectomies. Breast cancer is devastating enough for a 
woman and her family to cope with, without the added burden of 
overcoming obstacles to treatment.
  I urge my colleagues to support and adopt H.R. 1485.

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