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Women Intiatives
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Women Intiatives
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Records of the First Lady's Office (Clinton Administration)
Bobbie Greene's Files
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BOBBIE GREENE
Lb/8/11
Alice -
for Jennings
distributed fire
@ last week's
women's meeting
l thought it
might Cime in
thanky for same
of your mail.
He's also prepaing
a more general
piece in health
account shments
- - - d'11 pass I'l pass
set it Dr. X
Thanks
Robbie
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION INITIATIVES TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER
Introduced Legislation to Prevent Discrimination Based on Genetic Information.
The President has urged Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to prohibit health plans
from inappropriately using genetic screening information to deny coverage, set
premiums, or to distribute confidential information. For many diseases, such as breast
cancer, we are beginning to identify hidden genetic disorders which can spur early
treatment. However, genetic testing also can be used by insurance companies and others
to discriminate and stigmatize groups of people. In fact, studies show that a reason
women do not get genetic testing for breast cancer is because they fear the information
will be used to discriminate against them.
Expanded Medicare to Pay for Annual Screening Mammograms for all Medicare
Beneficiaries Age 40 and Over. The balanced budget expands coverage to pay for
annual screening mammograms for all Medicare beneficiaries age 40 and over, enabling
women to follow the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) recommendations to undergo
regular mammogram screening at age forty. President Clinton has also taken action to
bring Medicaid and federal employee health benefits in line with NCI recommendations.
Made Medicare Mammograms More Affordable and Accessible. The balanced
budget enacted by the President this August waived deductibles for all screening
mammograms, making annual mammograms more affordable for older women. Costs
can be a significant barrier for older women to get mammograms. Although Medicare
has covered screening mammography since 1991, only 14 percent of eligible
beneficiaries without supplemental insurance receive mammograms.
Built on HHS Commitment to Breast Cancer Research, Prevention and Training.
Since the President took office, funding for breast cancer research, prevention and
treatment has nearly doubled, from about $276 million in FY 1993 to an estimated $513
million in the President's FY 1997 budget.
Continued Department of Defense Funding for Breast Cancer Research. In FY
1997, the DOD will spend $112 million on breast cancer research. This is an
unprecedented partnership between the military, scientists, physicians, and the
community to fund grants to invigorate breast cancer research. One of the most
important and innovative aspects of the program is that breast cancer survivors are
actively engaged in defining the program and serve on scientific panels which review
grant proposals.
Increased Funding for Genetic Research. HHS-funded research led to the discovery of
two breast cancer genes -- BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 -- which holds great promise for the
development of new prevention strategies. On October 26, 1996, President Clinton
announced $30 million in new funding for research into the genetic basis of breast cancer.
Educated Older Women to Use the Medicare Mammography Screening Benefit.
The First Lady has launched a yearly mammography campaign to inform and encourage
older women to use the Medicare mammography screening benefit. Despite evidence
that early detection through mammography and clinical breast exams is essential, 45
percent of women over age 65 report they have not had a mammogram during the past
two years. This year the First Lady's campaign focuses on encouraging women with
particularly low mammography utilization rates to get mammograms.
Improved Mammography Quality Standards. The final regulations the President
announced today strengthen and improve the program the FDA implemented for
mammography standards in 1994 to ensure that they meet standards for equipment,
personnel, record-keeping, and quality control. Women and their families can look for
the FDA certificate as evidence that the facility meets quality standards. These new
standards will ensure women high quality, accurate mammograms. Women can find a
certified mammography facility by calling 1-800-4-CANCER.
Supported Legislation That Prevents Women From Being Forced Out of the
Hospital Only Hours After a Mastectomy. In his State of the Union Address, President
Clinton endorsed bipartisan legislation to ensure that women are not forced out of the
hospital before they are ready because of pressure from their health plan. The
Department of Health and Human Services also sent a letter to all Medicare managed care
plans making it clear that they may not set ceilings for inpatient hospital treatment or set
requirements for outpatient treatment, and that a woman and her doctor should make
decisions about what is medically necessary.
Provided Screening for Low-Income Women. CDC's National Breast Cervical Cancer
Early Detection Program offers free or low-cost mammography screening to low-income
elderly and minority women. On October 1, 1996, Secretary Shalala announced the
expansion of the program to all fifty states. The goal is to reduce breast cancer deaths
among these women by 30% and cervical cancer deaths by 90% through increased
mammography and pap testing.
Applied Space Technology to Detect and Treat Breast Cancer. NASA is applying
cutting edge technology to improve ways to diagnose and treat breast cancer. For
example, NASA uses the microgravity of space to grow human tissue for research and
transplantation, gaining valuable knowledge important to the treatment of breast and
ovarian cancer. Mars Pathfinder technology has been developed to enhance pictures is
being modified to make three-dimensional models of breast tissue. This enables doctors
to differentiate breast tissue more accurately without using painful invasive procedures.
BOBBIE GREENE
Jenn / Nicole- 11/3/97
Ehris Jennings
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@ last week's
Winer's meet;
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aling 8 m the
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