Mark Kelly: “I rise, along with several of my colleagues, this morning to urge this House to pass a bill I am sponsoring called the…”

“I rise, along with several of my colleagues, this morning to urge this House to pass a bill I am sponsoring called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act. I appreciate the co- leadership of the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) on this important bipartisan bill. We are here today seeking to improve treatment coverages and access to inpatient care for women suffering from breast cancer. No woman should be forced to fight breast cancer and red tape at the same time. It is our responsibility in Congress to make sure that necessary laws are in place to protect a breast cancer patient. We need to guarantee the best treatment and support possible. A breast cancer diagnosis is scary and stressful for a woman. Insurance restrictions and difficult cost-saving decisions only complicate her fear and stress. By passing our bill, we can eliminate undue anxiety and ensure that a woman and her doctor are in control of her treatment decisions. More than 175 cosponsors of our bill have recognized the need to help more than 200,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer every year. But we believe every Member of this body should be cosponsoring our legislation. Together, this Congress can make a positive difference in the lives of women suffering from breast cancer by passing the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act. ____________________”