DeLauro Continues Efforts to End Drive-Through Mastectomies

WASHINGTON, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)reintroduced the bipartisan Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act today,with the support of 74 members of Congress. First introduced by DeLauro in1996, this legislation would ensure that the decision of when to leave thehospital after a lumpectomy or mastectomy is made by a woman and her healthcare provider. Currently women can be forced out sooner, even just hours aftertheir procedure, in what is commonly referred to as a ‘drive-throughmastectomy.'

"Twenty-seven years ago, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancerand I can tell you that the diagnosis, treatments, and recovery are not easy,physically or emotionally. To imagine coming out of breast cancersurgery--still in pain and groggy from anesthesia--and being told to leave thehospital is simply unconscionable. I have worked with insurance companies toend these callous policies, but piecemeal changes are not enough. The BreastCancer Patient Protection Act will ensure that this basic consumerprotection is guaranteed to people across the country, no matter what insurancethey have—and is simply the right thing to do."

With over 226,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed lastyear, it is critical that women receive the care they need. The BreastCancer Patient Protection Act, which passed the House of Representatives in110th Congress by an overwhelming margin, would give patients and their doctorsmore control over treatment decisions.

Specifically, the bill would:

• Guarantee a minimum hospital stay of 48 hours for anyone having a mastectomy or lumpectomy and 24 hours for anyone undergoing a lymph node removal
• Ensure that anyone who has a mastectomy or lumpectomy for treatment of breast cancer has access to secondary medical opinions
• Ensure coverage of radiation therapy should they choose to have a lumpectomy