VOTE EXPECTED: Federal Protections for People with Pre-existing Conditions at Stake article

Any day now, the fate of our healthcare system could be up for a vote in the U.S. Senate and there is a LOT at stake.

Our U.S. House of Representatives already voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, and replace it with the American Health Care Act, also known as Trumpcare. The house-passed bill removes federal health insurance protections for people with pre-existing conditions like breast cancer. Instead, the legislation gives individual states the power to create high-risk pools which means, if you have a pre-existing condition like breast cancer, you may be denied health insurance and charged more for your care. We had high-risk pools before. They didn't work then. They won't work now.

The bill is now in the U.S. Senate. Senate Republicans are currently drafting their own legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Currently there are no plans for public hearings or open committee sessions on the bill. The PA Breast Cancer Coalition reached out to both of Pennsylvania's U.S. Senators for each of their positions on federal health insurance protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Below are the responses from each senator:

CANCER SURVIVORS: We all need to work together on this critical issue. The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is asking you to take action. Will you help?

Together, we can make a difference for people with pre-existing conditions like breast cancer. Take action. Save lives.


surprise medical bills

SURPRISE! You got a bill for
your mammogram. Why?

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If you have been treated for breast cancer, your annual mammogram could be considered diagnostic instead of a screening mammogram for the first five (or sometimes more) years after your diagnosis, even if you are not experiencing any problem with your breasts. Since insurers are not required to cover diagnostic in the same way as screening mammograms, you may be billed for the mammogram.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
To avoid getting a surprise bill afterwards, check with your doctor and your insurer ahead of time to see how the mammogram will be coded. If it will be coded as diagnostic and your insurer won’t cover it, you may be able to have your mammogram covered through the Pennsylvania Department of Health's HealthyWoman program. NEED HELP? Call PBCC Patient Advocacy Director Dolores Magro at 800-377-8828 ext. 3020 or email Dolores@PABreastCancer.org with any questions.


Philadelphia Survivor, PBCC Conference Attendee "Blessed" by Breast Cancer

Gloria Odom Survivor StoryWhen I heard the words “triple negative breast cancer,” I had no idea what they meant. Because of my faith though, I soon decided that for me it means triple positive faith. I felt I was triple positively blessed by the Holy Trinity … Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I was diagnosed with a routine mammogram in 2010 and then had a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation.

I had the best support team ever with my children, my friends, and family. After about a year, I joined the Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia and met Yvonne McLean Florence and Sarita Joy Jordan there. They both told me about the PBCC, and Yvonne invited me to join her at the PBCC conference in 2015. I enjoyed the conference so much, especially when they announced at the luncheon that 3D screening mammograms would be covered by insurance. That was a “wow” moment! I was also glad to be able to meet Dr. Edith Mitchell, and to hear about her research on triple negative breast cancer. That is another reason I like the PBCC, because of the research.


 

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Go Beyond Pink, Register Now for
Lebanon Country Club Golf Outing

Request a free Friends Like Me care package today

Golf lover? Here's your chance to hit the links for hope. There are still a few slots left for the Beyond Pink Golf Outing at Lebanon Country Club on Monday, June 19. The annual event benefits the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. Women, men and mixed teams welcome. Golfers without a full team will be placed. The fun starts at 7:30am with a continental breakfast!

Your $125 entry fee includes a donation to the PBCC, greens fees, cart, breakfast, snacks and a buffet luncheon. 

Download the registration form here and please contact Terry Williams with any questions at MTKnight@aol.com
We hope to see you Monday!


Save the Date for the 2017 PBCC Conference!


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