October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 06 2010
The breast cancer related provisions in the Affordable Care Act may not be particularly well known, but they will significantly help fight the deadly disease. The new law promotes awareness and prevention by increasing education and providing access to screening.
It also includes programs that target young women, for whom breast cancer is particularly deadly. Specifically, the new law will fund early education campaigns, provide grants to support groups for young women fighting cancer, and direct the National Institutes of Health to develop new screening tests and methods to improve early detection in young women.
A recent story reported by Kaiser News illustrates the importance of reaching young women early. Robyn Haines found a lump under her arm last summer. She wasn't that concerned and she waited several months before seeing her doctor.
"The 28-year-old television newscaster eventually visited her gynecologist near her home in Cadillac, Mich., and her doctor said it was probably nothing but referred her for a mammogram and ultrasound "just to be safe." The results were inconclusive.
When she decided to go-ahead with surgery to remove the lump, she was "extremely shocked" to learn that she had an aggressive form of breast cancer."
Robyn underwent a bilateral mastectomy and chemotherapy and today is on the road to recovery. Hopefully over the coming years all women, like Robyn, will have the tools to detect this treatable disease and know how and where to get help.
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"Under new plans, no child under age 19 will be denied coverage for a pre-existing conditions, period. Adults who have been without insurance for six months and who have been unable to obtain insurance because of a pre-existing condition, can apply for coverage under the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP)."
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Insurers can no longer cut someone after the fact.
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New screening procedures are now in place for health care providers to eliminate fraud and waste in the health care system.
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Medicare Part D enrollees who hit the Medicare prescription drug benefit gap in 2010 will automatically receive a $250 rebate check.
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Effective immediately, qualified small employers get tax credits of up to 35% of premiums for offering coverage.
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America's new health care law makes it easier for you to find the quality, affordable health care that you and your family need.
