Federal Breast Cancer Task Force
Although the Senate appears to have been discussing health reform proposals for months, only had health insurance for the first round Thursday. Democratic Sen. Barbara Mukulski's amendment of the health of women came with a solid majority. The legislation has the potential to improve care Many women receive their health insurance plans. However, there are detractors – some that are surprising.
The amendment has a mandate Mukulski companies health insurance. Now it will be necessary to provide preventive services in women's health, such as mammograms and OB / GYN visits for free without charge a deductible or co-payment. He is concerned that many women neglect their care for financial reasons, for example, if you can only afford one co-pay, a mother can pay for their children to visit a doctor and give up his own appointment. While the major health reform bill eliminates the expense of your pocket for many preventive care services health, the Senator believes it's not going far enough to relieve women face unique challenges with their health insurance plans.
Women in general have had to pay higher premiums for the health insurance plans, regardless of whether it included maternity coverage. The disparity is due to the fact that diseases as ovarian cancer and uterine cervix (which covers the amendment) necessarily impact women in terms of their biology. KISS drummer Peter Criss nonwithstanding, the vast majority of patients with breast cancer are women. It also refers to the conditions which, although not specific for women, beat at high speed: diabetes, lung cancer and heart disease, the second is the lack of advertising # 1 killer of American women. In addition, counseling and treatment related to domestic violence must also be provided without cost to the patient.
For those concerned about the recent mammography recommendations of a federal task force, the amendment offers some peace of mind. Tells doctors and health plans to disregard the new guidelines, suggesting that annual mammograms should begin 10 years later (at 50 instead of 40 years of age) for the average woman without other risk factors. Without But the amendment does not need the controversy. Would be responsible for federal and Health Services to develop guidelines for insurers will have to continue in their health insurance plans. Some have objected to the level of federal involvement in the beginning, and some fear issues such as rationing will occur.
The project was approved by a vote of 61-39. Surprisingly, not divided by party lines. A handful of Democrats voted against Amendment Maryland senator; their objections varied. Conservative Democrat Bill Nelson was not pleased that the bill does not exclude specifically the mandatory abortion coverage, but was not included, or. Russ Feingold of the opposition was driven more by budgetary concerns: does not include no provision that describes how the estimated cost of $ 940 million would be paid.
Bidders including Sen. Olympia Snowe, who co-sponsored amendment, and is known for being liberal – even expressed approval of a public choice between the health insurance plans, even one that came into effect only if "on". Fellow Maine Senator Susan Collins also voted in favor, as did David Vitter of Louisiana. Best known for a prostitution ring scandal, Vitter took pains to ensure that women in the age group 40-49 years of age Tests also have access to free breast cancer. Joe Lieberman, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, but it was a stray bullet in the votes of health reform, was another supporter of the amendment.
(Photo: Progress Ohio under CC 2.0)
