VBCF monitors both state and national legislation related to breast cancer. As you may know, this year, one of our top priorities is working with the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) to advocate for passage of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act.
VBCF is also tracking several other pieces of federal legislation working their way through Congress this year. Some of these bills have support from members of Virginia’s congressional delegation, but getting more of our legislators to sign-on as co-sponsors will help move the bills forward in Congress. Use your voice to urge your US Representative and Senators to support these bills.
Learn more about each bill below and find out how you can take action.
Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act – H.R. 1370/S. 562
VA Legislator Support: As of 8/7/19, no Virginia legislator has signed on to support either of these bills.
These bills provide for Medicare coverage of custom fabricated breast prostheses following the surgical removal of the breast (i.e., a mastectomy), including replacements of such prostheses. Currently, Medicare covers surgically implanted breast prostheses, as well as some external breast prostheses (e.g., post-surgical bras).
Background: Breast prostheses are the only body part not covered by Medicare as a custom replacement. If women utilize an off the shelf prosthesis, it may not match the size, shape, and/or skin tone of the remaining breast. The Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act will allow all women covered by Medicare to have access to custom breast prostheses.
The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) – H.R. 647/S. 2080
VA Legislator Support: H.R. 647: Representatives Connolly, Wittman S. 2080: None
PCHETA would establish Palliative Care and Hospice Education Centers to improve the training of health professionals in the core competencies of palliative care, establish a national campaign to inform patients, families and health professionals about the benefits of palliative care services, and direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand research in the areas of palliative care, pain, and symptom management.
Background: Palliative care is an approach to care that focuses on improving the quality of life for patients and their caregivers coping with a life-threatening illness or injury. This type of care treats pain, depression, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and any other symptoms that may be causing distress. It can be especially helpful for those with cancer. In 2017, VBCF successfully supported the passage of a state law which required the Virginia Department of Health to make information about and resources on palliative care available to the public on its website.
The Lymphedema Treatment Act (LTA) – H.R. 1948/ S. 518
VA Legislator Support: H.R. 1948: Representatives Connolly, Griffith, Spanberger, Wittman S.518: Senator Kaine
The LTA would improve coverage for the treatment of lymphedema from any cause by amending Medicare statute to allow for coverage of compression supplies. Although this legislation relates specifically to a change in Medicare law, it would set a precedent for Medicaid and private insurers to follow.
Background: Lymphedema is a condition that can develop due to the removal of or damage to lymph nodes as a part of cancer treatment. Not everyone that is treated for breast cancer will develop lymphedema. Lymphedema can occur days, months or years after breast cancer treatment. More background and templates for sending emails and making calls to advocate for the LTA can be found at: Help Increase Support for the Lymphedema Treatment Act.
How You Can Help
TAKE ACTION! If your legislator is not listed, please contact them and urge them to support these bills. Make sure to reference the bill numbers in your message. Contact information for your legislator can be found here.
Your message can be very simple:
“I’m writing/calling as your constituent and someone who cares about supporting patients experiencing breast cancer. I urge you to support [Insert bill name and number].”
THANK YOU for TAKING ACTION!
*Please let me know if you have questions – kirsta@vbcf.org. If you take action, let us know by filling out VBCF’s Advocacy Activity Tracker
3 Responses
Have we approached our legislators to try and change the suggested age of 40 to begin getting mammogram so insurance will cover it? NY just passed new law where insursnce will begin doing standard mammograms at age 35.
We have not considered that idea. Thank you for highlighting NY’s new law. We will look into it.
Thank you, Kirsta Millar kirsta@vbcf.org
Happy to help.
I was recently diagnosed and I’m 33 years old with invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 3. The need to have mammograms prior to age 30 is a must!