WASHINGTON, D.C. -- July 31, 2012 -- American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteer and breast cancer survivor Anne Creech joined Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and other officials today at the U.S. Capitol to celebrate new requirements taking effect tomorrow that new private health plans cover specific women's preventive services at no cost to patients.
The new health benefits include women's preventive services that are important to preventing cancer and catching it early, such as annual well-women visits and HPV co-testing for cervical cancer. Mikulski's bipartisan Women's Preventive Health Care Amendment to the Affordable Care Act empowered HHS to develop guidelines on coverage of women's preventive care. The preventive benefits that go into effect tomorrow were recommended by a scientific panel that HHS asked the Institute of Medicine to convene.
Early detection of breast and colorectal cancer saves lives -- it saved mine, Creech said. It gives me peace of mind to know that when my children and grandchildren need recommended cancer screenings, cost won't be a barrier to accessing these lifesaving services.
Creech is a three-time cancer survivor from Holland, Ohio, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1982. After her third cancer diagnosis in 2010, she began speaking with fellow cancer survivors and inspiring them to look beyond their diagnosis. She now proudly uses her voice to fight for policies that protect cancer patients and their families.
Anne's story reminds us about the importance of focusing our nation on preventing diseases such as cancer before they occur, rather than waiting to treat people when they get sick, said Chris Hansen, president of ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. Because of the new benefits that go into effect on August 1, women like Anne will be able to visit the doctor to get their clinical breast exam at no cost to them.
Cancer patients, survivors and their families are benefiting from critical patient protections and preventative measures in the Affordable Care Act that ensure women have access to the care they need, including annual mammograms at no cost to them. Evidence shows about half of all cancer deaths in the U.S. could be prevented if people avoided tobacco, maintained a healthy weight through diet and exercise and got recommended cancer screenings.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Lauren Walens or Steven Weiss
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Phone: (202) 661-5763 or (202) 661-5711
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
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