WASHINGTON, D.C., July 28, 2015 – Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and co-founder of The Rose joined theNational Consortium of Breast Centers’ (NCBC) delegation of 30 breast cancer experts and survivors to urge Congress to change the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) draft breast cancer recommendations. The newest recommendations will downgrade annual mammograms for women ages 40-49 from a “B” grade to a “C.”
Gibbons met with Congressman Gene Green to discuss the proposed recommendations that would eliminate screening mammography insurance coverage for 22 million women in their forties.
“I appreciate Congressman Green’s support and his willingness to listen to the issues that will impact so many of his constituents,” Gibbons said.
According to the Task Force, most women in age group of 40-49, do not need an annual exam. At The Rose, between 140 and 160 women under the age of fifty are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. A finalized draft with a “C” grade means insurance companies would no longer be required to cover mammograms without cost sharing for women ages 40-49.
“I reached out to our congressional leaders urging them to consider an upcoming House Bill that would provide a two year moratorium to prevent the draft guidelines from being finalized, allowing time for access and coverage concerns to be addressed as well as current studies to be included in the analysis,” Gibbons said. “Two years is not very long if it could mean saving thousands of lives.”
To learn more about the proposed guidelines, go toTheRose.org.
About The Rose:
The Rose is the leader in Southeast Texas’ breast health care, providing access to care in 35 counties. Since its launch in 1986, The Rose has provided access to high quality breast health care to all women, regardless of their ability to pay. Services offered by The Rose are available to the uninsured through many sponsorship programs. The Rose has on-site, Board Certified physicians, advanced digital technology and patient navigation to ensure a continuum of care.
