Wasserman Schultz Breast Cancer Screening Resolution Passes House
(Washington, DC) — Today, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) introduced a Resolution (H. Res. 971) expressing the “sense of the House of Representatives” regarding recent breast cancer screening guidelines by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) that relate to women age 40 to 49. The resolution states that the USPSTF guidelines should not be used by insurers to deny coverage for women who seek routine mammograms.
The resolution, introduced today with 141 original co-sponsors, was debated, voted on, and passed by the House of Representatives by 426-0.
“As we work to reform our health care system, it is critical that we continue to demonstrate our commitment to providing access to preventive services for all Americans,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Now is the time to let all American women know that we will not make them the exception to this rule.”
The text of the resolution follows:
Resolution: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding guidelines for breast cancer screening for women ages 40 to 49:
Whereas the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of experts in primary care prevention and evidence-based medicine, issued guidelines on November 16, 2009, regarding mammography screening for women, including women age 40 to 49;
Whereas these guidelines reflect a change from USPSTF mammography recommendations issued in 2002;
Whereas the new guidelines have caused concern among many health providers and confusion among many women age 40 to 49;
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services has stated that while the USPSTF has presented some new evidence for consideration, the policies of the Department remain unchanged; and
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services has stated that there is a great need for more evidence, more research, and more scientific innovation to help women prevent, detect, and fight breast cancer:
Now, therefore, be it resolved that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that:
(1) the guidelines of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) would not prohibit an insurer from providing coverage for mammography services in addition to those recommended by the USPSTF and should not be used by insurers to deny coverage for services that are not recommended on a routine basis; and
(2) the National Cancer Institute should continue to invest and provide leadership regarding research to develop more effective screening tools and strategies for improving detection of breast cancer.