WASHINGTON, D.C. -- March 8, 2006 -- As the U.S. Senate begins to debate health insurance plan legislation, the American Cancer Society today voiced its opposition to the “Health Insurance Marketplace, Modernization and Affordability Act of 2006” (S. 1955). The Society warned that consumers across the nation could lose critical cancer screening and treatment coverage guarantees if the bill is enacted. The Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee is expected to mark up the bill Wednesday.
The version of the legislation expected to be considered by the HELP Committee would allow health insurers in both the small business market and the large group market to bypass benefit protections enacted at the state level as long as they also offer a plan that includes the same protections as any one of the plans offered to state employees in one of the five most populous states -- California, New York, Illinois, Texas or Florida. The benefit protections at risk include vital cancer screenings, such as mammography, colon cancer screenings and other cancer prevention services and treatment options.
“Expanding the number of people with meaningful insurance coverage is a worthy goal but we must ensure that we deliver quality care in the process,” said Daniel E. Smith, National Vice President of Government Relations for the American Cancer Society. “Carving out more Americans from the protections their own states have given them is not an acceptable price to pay. We urge the Senate to oppose this bill and work to find alternatives for providing affordable, quality health care to more Americans that do not jeopardize crucial cancer prevention, screening and treatment services.”
For years, the Society has worked tirelessly to ensure coverage under state laws for vital cancer screenings and treatments. As a result, coverage for mammography, which has been shown to be the best tool currently available to detect breast cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage, is now required in 49 states. A growing number of states now require coverage of crucial colon, prostate and cervical cancer screenings. These guaranteed benefits could be lost if S. 1955 is passed.
This year alone, nearly 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer and 564,830 will die from the disease. Last year 92 Senators stated their commitment to working toward the Administration’s goal of eliminating suffering and death from cancer by 2015. Ensuring access to quality cancer screening and treatment options for all Americans is critical to winning the fight against cancer.
The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Trista Hargrove
Phone: (202) 585-3221
Email: [email protected]
