FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JOAN LUNDEN, JAN KRITZMAN AND REP. TURCO TESTIFY FOR EARLY DETECTION BREAST CANCER INSURANCE

[Hawkins, Kelsey]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       Contact: Kelsey Hawkins 

Thursday, March 18^th, 2021                                                          860-657-6561

JOAN LUNDEN, JAN KRITZMAN AND REP. TURCO TESTIFY FOR EARLY DETECTION BREAST CANCER INSURANCE

 

Today, Joan Lunden, former host of ABC’s Good Morning America, testified in favor of HB-6626, which includes language introduced by Representative Turco (D-Newington) and Representative Borer (D-West Haven) to continue efforts to help make the early detection of breast cancer more affordable. 

 

This bill is essential for early detection of breast cancer; many vital screenings and tests which early detect breast cancer are delayed due to the out of pocket costs for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. This bill also would establish a program to provide outreach to individuals of color regarding the importance of breast health and early breast cancer detection.

 

“Mammograms screenings are still the most effective way women can protect themselves against cancer, but the costs associated with it can be very overwhelming. As a breast cancer survivor, who had my cancer found in an ancillary test, I know how important all of these tests are. When a woman is concerned about breast cancer, this is not the time to be weighing the pros and cons of her finances,” Joan Lunden says. “This bill can protect your wives, your mothers, your daughters and yourselves. All women should be able to benefit from all the new advances we have without having to make sure her health fits into her budget.” 

 

Rep. Turco and Jan Kritzman, a breast cancer survivor and advocate from Newington, also testified in favor of the bill. Kritzman has worked closely with Rep. Turco and Rep. Borer in the development of this legislation.

 

This bill builds upon the legislation passed in 2019 which mandated no out of pocket costs for screenings, ultrasounds and MRIs. The bill passed in 2019 requires health insurance coverage for (1) a baseline mammogram for any woman who is thirty years of age or older, (2) an annual mammogram for any woman who receives a recommendation from such woman's treating physician and (3) comprehensive breast ultrasound screening for any woman who receives a recommendation from such woman's treating physician. However, since the passage of this legislation, insurance companies have found loopholes, and there are important screenings which are not covered by insurance.  

 

“In 2021, it is estimated that over 3,000 women and a couple of hundred men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and over 400 will die in Connecticut. The legislation we passed together in 2019 has already helped save lives and will continue to do so. In this legislative session, we have an opportunity to do even better. To save even more lives and save more money. I cannot think of a more important goal as a legislator than doing those two things. My mother is a three-time breast cancer survivor.  She was lucky that the cancer was detected all three times early enough to receive treatment and be a survivor. This bill removes barriers for some, especially those who are at high risk for cancer and with insurance plans that include high out-of-pocket costs,” Rep. Turco says.  

 

After the 2019 legislation passed, women throughout the state continued to receive out-of-pocket charges for their early detection tests because the tests were coded as diagnostic and not a screening. However, both screening mammograms and ultrasounds are routinely administered to detect breast cancer in women who have no apparent symptoms, while diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds are used after suspicious results on a screening mammogram or after some signs of breast cancer alert the physician to check the tissue. It is essential that this loophole is closed to ensure women do not delay getting a mammogram or ultrasound after a potential cancer has been detected. 

 

“The law must include diagnostic testing. Early Detection is the only tool in the tool box to provide the most probable road to long-term survival. This bill also benefits the insurance companies; the bottom-line is that this bill not only saves lives, but also money,” Jan Kritzman says. “Connecticut should be the gold star standard for breast cancer detection.” 

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Kelsey Hawkins

House Democrats Office | Press Aide

kelsey....@cga.ct.gov | 860-657-6561