[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 144 (Wednesday, October 7, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H10528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

  (Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is perhaps appropriate that in this 
month we are all tasked to reform this Nation's health care system for 
the millions of women who each year are screened and diagnosed with 
breast cancer and other breast disease.
  And yet there is also a glaring disparity in the diagnosis and 
treatment of breast disease. According to the Office of Minority 
Health, African American women are 34 percent more likely to die from 
breast cancer than white women. African American women are also 10 
percent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
  This disparity in screening diagnosis and treatment leads to not only 
more expensive care in the long run, but far too often death. A report 
released by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies 
estimates that the combined costs of such health inequalities and 
premature deaths in the United States total $1.24 trillion.
  We must eliminate disparities and discriminatory insurance practices 
impacting minorities and women not only because it's cost effective but 
because it's the right thing to do.
  It's time to provide quality, affordable, and accessible health care 
with a public plan that allows choice, care, and competition.

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