Petition to save breast cancer survivor benefits reaches 271

Aug. 19, 2012 - PRLog -- Pink Politico announced that it's petition to "Save Post Mastectomy Benefits for Breast Cancer Survivors", has reached 271 signatures.  Pink Politico is asking for signatures to raise awareness and help pass H.R 2233 (S 1217) The Breast Cancer Patient Equity act of 2011.  Both bills are currently stopped in committee.

Post Mastectomy care and services are vital to the process of healing for breast cancer survivors.  Recent trends from all types of insurance providers is a steady but quantifiable reduction in these important benefits.

The petition emphasizes that, “This is not a Joke! Women should have the right to appropriate medical care regardless of disease, body part or age!

Medicare (CMS) refuses to pay for a Custom Breast Prosthesis for women who have had a mastectomy, stating in their Local Coverage Determination Payment Policy for all four jurisdictions, that, a custom breast prosthesis is "Medically Inappropriate".

Legislation has been introduced in both the House of Representatives by Representative Mike Ross [D-AR] and Senate by Senator Olympia Snowe [R-ME] to change this policy. Furthermore, this is not just a Medicare issue as many private insurances base their payment policy and rates on Medicare.

Signing this petition will let:

1. Medicare, Congress and all Private Insurances know that women should have the choice of a Custom Breast Prosthesis if medically prescribed!

2. Your legislators know that HR 2233 / S 1217 is NO JOKE!  

PinkPolitico is the advocacy arm of the American Association of Breast Care Professionals a national organization which focuses on the provision of professional education and legislative advocacy for Breast Cancer Survivors and the professionals that provide the vital post mastectomy items and services.

A Few Facts

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and the second leading cause of death in this country. While there are  2 million women living with breast cancer in the United States, it remains the leading cause of death in women aged 40 - 55 years. Every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.  It is estimated that 207, 090 women and 1,970 men were diagnosed in 2010  and 43,000 will die from the disease.

Post-Mastectomy Fittings

Breast Cancer while treatable, often results in surgical removal of one or both breasts: a mastectomy.  Once performed restoration of anatomical symmetry is accomplished by either reconstructive surgery or a post-mastectomy fitting of the appropriate silicone breast form. Size and shape are only a few of the factors considered when fitting a form.  A misfit form can result in health concerns ranging from headaches, backaches to more severe and chronic health issues.  

Pre-manufactured forms are available however, some conditions and surgeries require a custom breast prosthesis.  Furthermore over 50% of women are not candidates for reconstruction and many choose not to undergo the additional surgeries necessary.