The following is a Counterpoint column:
By VIOLA A. MONROE
I am extremely disappointed that Sens. Burr and Dole chose to support federal insurance legislation that was fatally flawed and not in the best interest of North Carolina residents. Burr and Dole chose to support legislation that could have threatened guaranteed coverage for and access to cancer screenings and treatments for millions of Americans. Fortunately, other senators disagreed and stopped the bill in its tracks.
S. 1955 was an ill-advised attempt to address a goal we all share — to increase the number of Americans with health insurance. However, this bill would do more harm than good by allowing private insurers to bypass state laws requiring coverage for cancer screenings and treatments, effectively stripping patients of guaranteed coverage for these lifesaving benefits. It would have negated years of work in the state to ensure coverage for vital benefit protections, and would have been a setback in North Carolina's efforts to reduce cancer deaths.
As a blessed diagnosed cancer survivor, I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer Dec. 12, 2001. I am thankful to God for being alive and living life to its fullness. It is past time for a better understanding and recognition for health care reformation for all people. I recognize the need to expand affordable quality insurance coverage to more Americans, but not at the expense of benefit protection that helps save lives. S. 1955 would have gutted mammography coverage laws in 49 states and undermined North Carolina laws ensuring coverage for prostate cancer and colon cancer, as well as other cancer screening and treatment mandates.
I, and many other North Carolinians, asked Burr and Dole to save our screenings by opposing S. 1955, but they supported moving ahead with the bill anyway. In fact, Burr was a co-sponsor of this legislation. Fortunately, other senators got the message and stopped this bill.
Ensuring access to screenings and treatment options is essential to winning the fight against cancer. I urge Burr and Dole to come up with other ways to address the problem of the uninsured that won't deprive citizens of the very benefit protections that help save lives.
The writer lives in Greensboro and is a legislative ambassador for the American Cancer Society.
Comments (3)
Ms. Monroe,
Great points, made very succinctly.
Unfortunately, the 28% of Americans who wholeheartedly support the current administration, include Dole and Burr. Also, the 28% is well represented by many of the lemmings who post here. (neoCON, Hugh, etc)
Posted by DemonDeacon![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://blog.news-record.com/staff/letters/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 27, 2006 9:33 AM
Bravo, Ms. Monroe. I also called and wrote Senator Burr and Senator Dole and asked them to oppose Bill 1955.
As an ovarian cancer survivor, I am fully aware of our need to INCREASE cancer screenings-- not decrease them.
People need to educate themselves on how Senators are voting-- we are the ones putting them into office, let's make sure they are truly representing what we want.
Posted by haynes94![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://blog.news-record.com/staff/letters/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 27, 2006 9:40 PM
And who is surprised that the two bumbling buffoons elected by a majority of NC citizens would cast a vote against legislation that was FOR big industry. Especially an industry such as INSURANCE!
I like the Counterpoint LTE. I just wish more people like Ms. Monroe would contact these two bumbling buffoons. I only hope that there is a better alternative to vote for in 2006. With Erskine Bowles out of the picture, I do not know of a viable alternative. Anyone know of someone?
Ms. Monroe, I am thankful that you ARE a survivor!
Shalom
Posted by Darryl![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://blog.news-record.com/staff/letters/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 28, 2006 8:57 PM