About Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act 2007

This information was provided by www.capwiz.com and www.govtrack.us.

Bill # H.R.119

Sponsor:

Rep. Jo Ann Davis [R-VA]

Cosponsor Total: 23
(last sponsor added 06/27/2007)
15 Democrats
8 Republicans

Q: What is the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act?
A: The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act will oblige that health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations.

Q: When was the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act introduced?
A: The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act was introduced January 4, 2007.

Q: What does the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act involve?
A: The Act:
* Prohibits a health plan or issuer from restricting benefits for any hospital length of stay to less than 48 hours in connection with a mastectomy or breast conserving surgery or 24 hours with a lymph node dissection
* Ensures that full coverage is provided for secondary consultations by specialists in the medical fields to confirm or refute a diagnosis of cancer.

Q: What does the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act require?
A: It requires:
* Group health plan or a health issuer offering health insurance coverage that provides medical and surgical benefits to ensure that inpatient (and in the case of a lumpectomy, outpatient) coverage and radiation therapy are provided for breast cancer treatment
* A provider obtains authorization from the plan or issuer for prescribing any length of stay
* Providing notice to each participant and beneficiary regarding the coverage required

Q: What is the current status of the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act?
A: This bill is in the first step in the legislative process. Introduced bills first go to committees that investigate and revise them before they go to general debate. On May 9, 2007, the Bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

Q: What is next for the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act?
A: The committee may read the bill three times and conduct a floor debate. If the bill passes in the House, it will then go to the Senate where the process will begin again will be voted on. Once the House and Senate approve one version of the bill, it will then be presented to the President who has the power to veto the bill or pass it into law.

Q: Where can I find out more information about the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act?
A: Visit http://capwiz.com/cancerschmancer/issues/bills/?bill=11802716&size=full for up-to-date, detailed information concerning the bill.