Leahy Signals Support For President's Steps To Ensure Reimbursements For Women Seeking Breast Cancer Tests

March 28 - March 31, 1997

[Following are the comments of Senator Patrick Leahy on President Clinton's announcement that he will ask Congress to approve changes to ensure that annual mammography tests beginning at age 40 will be covered by Medicaid, Medicare and federal employee health plans. Clinton also is challenging private insurers to do the same. Clinton also announced that the federal government will launch a national breast cancer education program to get the latest information on the efficacy of mammography to the public and to health care workers. The President said he will assure state administrators of federal Medicaid services -- the heath program for the poor -- that federal funds will be available to help pay for mammograms for women in their 40s. Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring form of cancer in women. Leahy is a leader in the Senate on steps to expand breast cancer research and prevention efforts, including the National Program of Cancer Registries, which he chartered with Rep. Bernard Sanders.]

"The President has done the right thing. I will support the steps he proposes and hope Congress will accept them. Women between the ages of 40 and 50 have had to cope with conflicting guidance about mammography. They deserve the best information available in making these decisions, and federal and private health insurance programs should back women who choose this screening."